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The Evolution of a Cult is often defined by specific steps.

1. The Core Concept

A dominant personality or leaders present a revolutionary approach offering a solution for disconnected individuals.

Thus we find ourselves. Plans are in motion to confront the system down in Brisbane. Tensions are rising. Smoke is rising from the out-houses. One individual, vulnerable, shivering, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT displayed prominently in chicken blood, has come staggering from the field and is being led away in secrecy to a different team elsewhere.

Do you ever miss the early days, when optimism reigned? The era of early Bazball, of pure instinct.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Cult leaders offer a fresh beginning, hope for a future, support, salvation among a group who all believe in the big idea.

What was this thing at first? A team united feeling good. Ink. Muscles. Jawlines. Elite male wellness energy. Oh sure, The squad will claim they don’t use the label, amusingly since it’s not recognized, what did we see?

However, everyone understands its essence. It’s the player playing a shot so unconventional it defies description. It’s the adrenaline of Ben Stokes in his final form, a demeanor suggesting: thoughtful warrior, strong features, natural look, truly contemporary you half-expect to glance over and see him playing on the ground shirtless and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s Ben Duckett continuing to have permission to talk in press conferences, out there looking like a cheerful animal smartly dressed, saying stuff like we are actively deconstructing the orange. Certainly, the vibe, for quite a long time, was entirely positive.

3. A New Life

Development stage. Cohesion maintained through repetition of the cult’s slogans. These principles can appear contradictory as a loyalty check.

Is it just me? The criticism, the fury, the feeling of letdown following the initial loss seems too strong, unwarranted. The batting collapsed in Perth, as history shows. They were torn apart while bowling during a brief period when tactics failed, carved around by the batsman playing aggressively but smarter, adjusting to the pitch, a performer excelling with brilliance.

Now there is the criticism, the frustration, the perception of the team as a failure. The consensus is that losing isn’t enough, they should be dismantled, to be cleansed, flame-throwered, overwhelmed through sheer skill of the bowler’s action, the conventional tactics of Scott Boland, seen enjoying his wickets modestly as if receiving a rewarding prize. How will they respond?

4. The Backlash Phase

Challenges surface because of mistakes. Yet, mistakes are denied. It turns to anger towards critics.

The fact remains, half a week out the upcoming game, we have now reached a critical juncture in the story of this movement. Victory is possible in Brisbane in a blur of adrenal disruption. Probably, failure may follow. Should they fail it appears we may see the final stage.

Ahead of this, there are two things to consider on the topic. Previously, back in those heady early days, of optimism and energy, an piece was published labeling it a movement. People were very angry, which proved the point because everyone knows a method to show something definitely isn’t a cult is when its acolytes react defensively objecting to the questioning of the beliefs.

The developments in the last few days are equally notable. Criticism of the approach has now become the cult. We have a uniformly angry internet, angry English pundits, images of frustrated supporters abroad disappointed by the short match, reminiscent of people wanting fairness.

Conversely, there is the broader context of the host’s complex ingrained annoyance towards the unconventional visitors, out there saying, the methods you value and have fostered and nurtured as part of your identity culturally from us, it’s not serious after all.

Here lies the truth. It’s all cults. The style was a trend as the game has its own culture. Or rather, English cricket has always been a cult, a clique, a private event, a restricted environment with a long history of ceremonial past supporting it. It has long been where influence is guarded. It’s the British pastime of the nation, the pioneering brand. And guess what, the country is a phenomenon, a structure of hidden ranks, a royal family remains.

The team have been isolated within this world since childhood. Seeking change, to foster positivity, they are mirroring their past, building another enclosure, an exclusive group, but now with a modern squad and a mentor who wants you to be yourself as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Live where your feet are. Run towards the danger. However much you change, things stay similar.

Reflecting on this, now is the time to have some sympathy for the movement, to acknowledge its merits, of which there are many. What is Bazball? Promoting liberation. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with