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The Journey of a Cult is often marked by clear stages.

1. The Core Concept

A dominant personality or figureheads present a new and transcendent idea that promises a panacea for disconnected individuals.

And so it goes. They’re getting ready to challenge the establishment down in Brisbane. Pressure is mounting. Signs of trouble appear from the sidelines. A lone figure, exposed, nervous, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT written on his body in chicken blood, has stumbled from the field and is taken aside with discretion towards an inconclusive loan stint elsewhere.

Remember the early days, when optimism reigned? The initial phase, of uninhibited aggression.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Movement founders promise a new start, hope for a future, camaraderie, redemption together who all believe in the philosophy.

What did it represent at first? Players celebrating feeling good. Body art. Muscles. Determination. Peak performance vibes. Of course, The team often say they don’t use the label, which is funny since it’s not recognized, what exactly did I just watch?

However, everyone understands what it is. It’s the player executing a stroke so unconventional it’s beyond belief. It’s the thrill of the captain in his final form, an expression conveying: pensive Nordic god, beard made of wood, hair woven from beaver hide, truly contemporary you wouldn’t be surprised to glance over and notice he’s fielding in the field bare-chested embracing nature.

It’s the opener continuing to have permission speaking publicly, appearing as a happy little woodland creature in a waistcoat, saying stuff like we’re challenging norms. Indeed, the energy, for a significant period, was entirely positive.

3. Expansion Period

Building period. Unity enforced by rote learning of the cult’s slogans. These principles can appear contradictory as a test of “true belief”.

Am I alone? The criticism, the fury, the sense of betrayal following the initial loss appears excessive, too much. The batting collapsed on the field, as they often do in Australia. They were savaged while bowling in a short span as plans unraveled, outplayed by the batsman imitating their style effectively, adjusting to the pitch, a man playing with aura.

Now there is the pile-on, the anger, the view of the sport as a disgrace. The consensus is that defeat must be total, they need to lose righteously, to be scoured, obliterated, defeated through sheer skill of the pace attack, the low-fi orthodoxies of the veteran, out there celebrating achievements modestly similar to getting a nice new fishing rod. How will they respond?

4. External Conflict

Challenges surface due to setbacks. However, faults are ignored. It begins to thrive on hostility externally.

Ultimately, half a week out from the second Test, we are at a critical juncture in the story of this approach. England could quite easily win overseas through aggressive play. More likely, defeat could come swiftly. And if they do lose it seems we may see the final stage.

Ahead of this, there are two things to note on the topic. Previously, during the initial excitement, of passion and hope, a column appeared labeling it a movement. People were very angry, which demonstrated as it’s known a method to show something definitely isn’t a cult is when its acolytes respond with anger objecting to the questioning of the philosophy.

What has happened lately is just as interesting. It seems that hating Bazball is now the trend. We have a uniformly angry internet, disappointed commentators, shots of angry middle-aged supporters abroad disappointed by the short match, reminiscent of people wanting fairness.

Meanwhile, exists the larger scene of Australia’s more nuanced deep-seated frustration with the aggressive tourists, claiming, your cherished traditions and have honed as one way of separating yourself from others, it’s just a joke after all.

Here lies the truth. It’s all cults. The style was a trend because cricket is a cult. Or rather, the team has long been exclusive, a circle, a garden party, a closed world with two hundred years of tradition and mystery behind it. Historically, this was a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the imperial sport of the nation, the original sports washers. And guess what, the country is a phenomenon, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a royal family remains.

England’s cricketers have been enclosed in this environment since childhood. Attempting to break free, to create a less brutal environment, they are mirroring their own experience, forming a new circle, a closed circle, however with a modern squad and a mentor encouraging individuality provided you conform.

Stay present. Embrace challenges. Despite efforts, things stay similar.

Reflecting on this, it might be appropriate to offer compassion for Bazball, to acknowledge its merits, that are numerous. What is Bazball? Encouraging expression. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with