🔗 Share this article

The Life Cycle of a Cult can be defined by distinct phases.

1. The Grand Vision

A charismatic leader or figureheads present an innovative concept that promises a cure for alienated and vulnerable people.

So here we are. Plans are in motion to challenge the establishment overseas. Tensions are rising. Signs of trouble appear from the sidelines. An isolated player, vulnerable, nervous, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT smeared across his chest as a symbol, has emerged into view and is removed with discretion towards an inconclusive loan stint elsewhere.

Do you ever miss the start, when optimism reigned? The days of Bazball 1.0, of Bazball without brains.

2. Love-Bombing

Team architects offer a fresh beginning, optimism ahead, support, salvation within a community with shared faith in the big idea.

What was this thing initially? Just men on a balcony basking in glory. Ink. Muscles. Jawlines. Peak performance vibes. Admittedly, The squad insist it’s not a real term, amusingly as it’s denied, what exactly did I just watch?

However, everyone understands its essence. It’s the batsman attempting a move so outrageous it’s beyond belief. It’s the excitement of Ben Stokes in ultimate mode, a demeanor suggesting: thoughtful warrior, beard made of wood, hair woven from beaver hide, genuinely raw you half-expect to notice and see him playing in the field stripped to the waist holding a fish.

It’s the opener still being allowed speaking publicly, out there looking like a happy little woodland creature smartly dressed, expressing thoughts like we’re challenging norms. Indeed, the vibe, for quite a long time, was uplifting.

3. Expansion Period

Building period. Cohesion maintained through repetition of key phrases. These principles are often illogical as a test of “true belief”.

Is it just me? The backlash, the outrage, the feeling of letdown after the first Ashes Test defeat feels overblown, unwarranted. The performance was poor in Perth, as is typical there. They were torn apart while bowling during a brief period when tactics failed, outplayed by the batsman playing aggressively but smarter, responsive to the situation, a performer excelling with aura.

And now we have this the attacks, the frustration, the view of the sport as a failure. The feeling seems to be that England don’t just need to lose, they should be dismantled, to be scoured, obliterated, destroyed via traditional methods of the bowler’s action, the simple basics of the bowler, out there celebrating his wickets humbly as if receiving a rewarding prize. What will this do to them?

4. External Conflict

Issues emerge due to setbacks. However, faults are ignored. It starts to feed on hatred of the outside world.

In truth, half a week out from the second Test, we are at an intriguing moment in the story of this approach. England could quite easily win in Brisbane with bold tactics. More likely, failure may follow. And if they do lose it seems we could be witnessing the decline.

Prior to that, there are two things to consider about this. More than two years ago, back in those heady early days, of light and heat, an piece was published suggesting Bazball was a cult. People were very angry, which proved the point because everyone knows the best way of proving something definitely isn’t a cult is when its acolytes send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages rejecting criticism of its truths.

What has happened lately are equally notable. Opposition to the style has turned into a movement. Online outrage is widespread, angry English pundits, pictures of upset followers overseas missing out on play, similar to investors demanding recourse.

On the other hand, there is the broader context of the opponent’s mixed deep-seated frustration with the aggressive tourists, claiming, the methods you value and have developed as one way of separating yourself from the opposition, well, it’s all a bit of a gag in the end old boy.

This is the core issue. All movements are similar. The style was a trend because cricket is a cult. In fact, English cricket has always been a cult, a circle, an elite gathering, an insular community with two hundred years of ceremonial past supporting it. It has long been a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the colonial game of England, the early image-makers. And guess what, Britain is itself a cult, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a monarchy still exists.

The players have been sealed up in this system since childhood. In trying to escape from it, to foster positivity, they are simply replicating their upbringing, building another enclosure, a limited community, but doing it this time with a modern squad and a coach who wants you to be yourself if you fit the mold.

Focus on the moment. Run towards the danger. Despite efforts, you’re always basically in the same place.

Reflecting on this, it might be appropriate to have some sympathy for Bazball, to recognize its positives, of which there are many. How to define it? Creating a sense of freedom. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with