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The Life Cycle of a Cult is often marked by specific steps.

1. The Core Concept

A charismatic leader or leaders introduce a new and transcendent idea that promises a cure for struggling players.

So here we are. Plans are in motion to storm the compound in Australia. The gunships are circling. Smoke is rising from the sidelines. One individual, vulnerable, anxious, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT written on his body as a statement, has come staggering from the field and is taken aside in secrecy towards an inconclusive loan stint elsewhere.

Do you ever miss the early days, when the world was still young? The era of early Bazball, of uninhibited aggression.

2. Initial Adoration

Cult leaders promise a reboot, optimism ahead, camaraderie, salvation together with shared faith in the big idea.

What was this thing at first? Just men on a balcony enjoying success. Body art. Muscles. Focus. Confident masculinity. Of course, The team insist they don’t use the label, ironically as it’s denied, what exactly did I just watch?

However, everyone understands its essence. It’s the player attempting a move so depraved it’s beyond belief. It’s the adrenaline of Ben Stokes at his peak, a demeanor suggesting: pensive Nordic god, rugged appearance, untamed style, so authentically Modern Savage you wouldn’t be surprised to look down and notice he’s fielding in the field shirtless and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s the batsman continuing to have permission to talk in press conferences, appearing as a cheerful animal smartly dressed, uttering phrases such as we are actively deconstructing the orange. Certainly, the vibe, for a significant period, was entirely positive.

3. The Growth Phase

Growth phase. Unity enforced through repetition of key phrases. These principles can appear contradictory to prove commitment.

Is it just me? The reaction, the outrage, the disappointment after the first Ashes Test defeat seems too strong, unwarranted. England batted badly on the field, as history shows. They were dominated while bowling in a short span as plans unraveled, carved around by the batsman batting like England but better, adaptive to conditions, a performer excelling with aura.

Now there is the attacks, the anger, the view of the sport as a disgrace. The opinion suggests that England don’t just need to lose, they should be dismantled, to be purged, flame-throwered, defeated through sheer skill of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the conventional tactics of the veteran, marking successes modestly similar to getting a rewarding prize. What will this do to them?

4. External Conflict

Challenges surface because of mistakes. But the cult cannot admit errors. It begins to thrive on anger towards critics.

In truth, approaching the upcoming game, we are at a critical juncture in the lifespan of this movement. England could quite easily win in the next Test with bold tactics. Probably, defeat could come swiftly. And if they do lose it appears we really might be entering the decline.

Prior to that, a couple of points to note regarding this. In the past, back in those heady early days, of optimism and energy, I wrote an article calling it a phenomenon. People were very angry, which demonstrated since it’s clear a method to show something definitely isn’t a cult is if supporters respond with anger objecting to the questioning of the beliefs.

What has happened recently are equally notable. Opposition to the style has turned into a movement. We have a uniformly angry internet, angry English pundits, pictures of upset followers overseas cheated out of three days of cricket, like a room full of investors demanding recourse.

Conversely, we have the wider backdrop of the opponent’s mixed ingrained annoyance with the aggressive tourists, stating, your cherished traditions and have honed as part of your identity from others, well, it’s all a bit of a gag in the end old boy.

Here lies the truth. It’s all cults. The approach was a phenomenon because cricket is a cult. Or at least, English cricket has always been a cult, a group, a private event, a restricted environment with centuries of ceremonial past supporting it. This has always been where influence is guarded. It’s the British pastime of the nation, the pioneering brand. And notably, Britain is itself a cult, a structure of hidden ranks, a place that literally still has a king.

The players have been isolated in this environment from a young age. Seeking change, to foster positivity, they are just repeating their own experience, forming a new circle, a limited community, however with 15 cool guys and a mentor encouraging individuality provided you conform.

Live where your feet are. Run towards the danger. But no matter how fast and far you run, you remain stuck.

With this mind, now is the time to show understanding for Bazball, to recognize its positives, of which there are many. What does it represent? Encouraging expression. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with