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The Life Cycle of a Cult is often marked by distinct phases.

1. The Big Idea

A charismatic leader or coaches introduce a revolutionary approach that promises a cure for struggling players.

And so it goes. Preparations are underway to confront the system down in Brisbane. Tensions are rising. Signs of trouble appear from the out-houses. A lone figure, naked, shivering, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT smeared across his chest in chicken blood, has stumbled into view and is being led away in secrecy to a different team in county cricket.

Do you recall the start, when optimism reigned? The era of early Bazball, of Bazball without brains.

2. Love-Bombing

Cult leaders guarantee a fresh beginning, optimism ahead, camaraderie, salvation within a community who all believe in the method.

How did it feel back then? A team united feeling good. Body art. Forearms. Determination. Peak performance vibes. Of course, England’s players insist Bazball doesn’t actually exist, which is funny as it’s denied, what exactly did I just watch?

But we know what it is. It’s the player attempting a move so depraved it’s beyond belief. It’s the excitement of the captain in ultimate mode, an expression conveying: focused titan, beard made of wood, untamed style, truly contemporary you wouldn’t be surprised to look down and find him positioned at mid-off shirtless and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s the batsman continuing to have permission to talk in press conferences, resembling a joyful figure formally attired, saying stuff like we are actively deconstructing the orange. Certainly, the atmosphere, for quite a long time, was uplifting.

3. The Growth Phase

Building period. Togetherness strengthened by rote learning of key phrases. These ideas can appear contradictory as a test of “true belief”.

Am I alone? The criticism, the anger, the sense of betrayal post-defeat seems too strong, overdone. The performance was poor on the field, as is typical there. They were dominated in the field for a couple of hours as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, manipulated by Travis Head batting like England but better, responsive to the situation, a man playing with brilliance.

Currently, we see the criticism, the rage, the view of the sport as a kind of abomination. The opinion suggests that defeat must be total, they must be humbled, to be cleansed, flame-throwered, defeated via traditional methods of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the conventional tactics of the veteran, out there celebrating successes humbly similar to getting a nice new fishing rod. What will this do to them?

4. External Conflict

Issues emerge from failures in the plan. But the cult cannot admit errors. It begins to thrive on anger towards critics.

Ultimately, approaching the upcoming game, we’ve entered an intriguing moment in the story of this approach. England could quite easily win in the next Test through aggressive play. Alternatively, defeat could come swiftly. Should they fail it seems we may see the final stage.

Before that happens, a couple of points to consider about this. More than two years ago, at the start, of light and heat, a column appeared suggesting Bazball was a cult. Criticism followed, which demonstrated because everyone knows a method to show lack of cult status is if supporters respond with anger rejecting criticism of its truths.

Recent events recently is just as interesting. Criticism of the approach is now the trend. Online outrage is widespread, angry English pundits, shots of angry middle-aged followers overseas missing out on play, similar to timeshare owners seeking justice.

On the other hand, exists the larger scene of the opponent’s mixed more culturally hard-wired exasperation towards the unconventional visitors, stating, your cherished traditions and have honed to distinguish yourselves culturally from us, well, it’s all a bit of a gag after all.

This is the core issue. It’s all cults. The approach was a phenomenon since the sport itself is insular. Or at least, the team has long been exclusive, a circle, a garden party, a closed world with centuries of ceremonial past behind it. It has long been where entry is limited. It’s the imperial sport of England, the pioneering brand. And notably, the nation has its own culture, a structure of hidden ranks, a monarchy still exists.

The players have been isolated in this system for years. In trying to escape from it, to foster positivity, they are mirroring their upbringing, building another enclosure, a closed circle, but now with a new team and a coach encouraging individuality as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Live where your feet are. Embrace challenges. However much you change, you’re always basically in the same place.

Considering this, it might be appropriate to show understanding for the approach, to appreciate its good points, of which there are many. What is Bazball? Promoting liberation. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with