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The Journey of a Cult tends to be defined by specific steps.

1. The Big Idea

A charismatic leader or leaders present a revolutionary approach pledging a cure for disconnected individuals.

And so it goes. They’re getting ready to confront the system in Australia. The gunships are circling. Signs of trouble appear from the sidelines. A lone figure, exposed, anxious, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET smeared across his chest as a statement, has emerged into view and is removed in secrecy towards an inconclusive loan stint in county cricket.

Do you recall the early days, when everything was fresh? The era of early Bazball, of pure instinct.

2. Initial Adoration

Cult leaders promise a new start, a brighter tomorrow, camaraderie, success within a community with shared faith in the philosophy.

What was this thing at first? Players celebrating enjoying success. Tattoos. Strength. Focus. Confident masculinity. Admittedly, England’s players insist they don’t use the label, which is funny as it’s denied, what was that spectacle?

Yet it’s clear what it is. It’s the batsman attempting a move so depraved it defies description. It’s the excitement of the captain in ultimate mode, an expression conveying: thoughtful warrior, beard made of wood, hair woven from beaver hide, truly contemporary you almost imagine to glance over and see him playing on the ground stripped to the waist embracing nature.

It’s Ben Duckett continuing to have permission speaking publicly, resembling a cheerful animal smartly dressed, saying stuff like we’re challenging norms. Indeed, the energy, initially, was only good energy.

3. The Growth Phase

Development stage. Cohesion maintained via memorization of mantras. These beliefs are often illogical to prove commitment.

Am I alone? The backlash, the anger, the feeling of letdown following the initial loss seems too strong, too much. The performance was poor during the match, as is typical there. They were savaged in the field for a couple of hours as plans unraveled, manipulated by Travis Head imitating their style effectively, adaptive to conditions, a performer excelling with aura.

Currently, we see the criticism, the rage, the view of the sport as a failure. The feeling seems to be that defeat must be total, they must be humbled, to be cleansed, flame-throwered, destroyed by the vengeful purity of the bowler’s action, the conventional tactics of Scott Boland, seen enjoying successes with a bashful smile like he’s just been given a rewarding prize. What will this do to them?

4. The Backlash Phase

Challenges surface because of mistakes. Yet, mistakes are denied. It begins to thrive on anger towards critics.

Ultimately, a few days before from the second Test, we have now reached a delicious point of tension in the story of this approach. Victory is possible in Brisbane in a blur of adrenal disruption. Probably, failure may follow. And if they do lose it seems we may see the final stage.

Prior to that, several aspects worth saying regarding this. In the past, back in those heady early days, of optimism and energy, a column appeared suggesting Bazball was a cult. Criticism followed, which proved the point as it’s known the best way of proving lack of cult status is should followers react defensively objecting to the questioning of its truths.

What has happened recently is just as interesting. Criticism of the approach is now the trend. We have a uniformly angry internet, disappointed commentators, pictures of upset supporters abroad missing out on play, similar to investors demanding recourse.

Meanwhile, there is the broader context of the opponent’s mixed ingrained annoyance towards the unconventional visitors, out there saying, hey, that thing you love and have honed as one way of separating yourself culturally from us, it’s not serious in the end old boy.

This is the core issue. It’s all cults. The style was a trend since the sport itself is insular. In fact, the team has long been exclusive, a clique, a private event, a closed world with two hundred years of tradition and mystery defining it. This has always been where influence is guarded. It’s the British pastime of the nation, the pioneering brand. And surprisingly, the nation has its own culture, a structure of hidden ranks, a place that literally still has a king.

England’s cricketers have been enclosed in this environment for years. Seeking change, to build a better atmosphere, they are mirroring their past, creating another a bubble, a closed circle, but doing it this time with a modern squad and a mentor promoting authenticity as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Focus on the moment. Run towards the danger. However much you change, things stay similar.

With this mind, it is perhaps the moment to show understanding for Bazball, to recognize its positives, which are significant. How to define it? Promoting liberation. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with