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The Journey of a Cult tends to be marked by distinct phases.

1. The Grand Vision

A dominant personality or leaders present an innovative concept that promises a panacea for disconnected individuals.

And so it goes. They’re getting ready to confront the system down in Brisbane. The gunships are circling. Conflict emerges from the out-houses. A lone figure, vulnerable, nervous, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT smeared across his chest in chicken blood, has stumbled through the lines and is taken aside in secrecy to a different team at Derbyshire.

Do you ever miss the start, when optimism reigned? The initial phase, of uninhibited aggression.

2. Love-Bombing

Team architects guarantee a reboot, optimism ahead, support, success together with shared faith in the philosophy.

What did it represent back then? Players celebrating feeling good. Body art. Strength. Jawlines. Confident masculinity. Oh sure, The team insist they don’t use the label, ironically since it’s not recognized, what exactly did I just watch?

But we know what it is. It’s Harry Brook playing a shot so depraved it’s beyond belief. It’s the excitement of Ben Stokes in ultimate mode, a demeanor suggesting: thoughtful warrior, beard made of wood, natural look, so authentically Modern Savage you wouldn’t be surprised to glance over and see him playing in the field stripped to the waist holding a fish.

It’s Ben Duckett continuing to have permission addressing the media, out there looking like a cheerful animal in a waistcoat, uttering phrases such as we’re breaking down traditions. And yes, the energy, initially, was entirely positive.

3. The Growth Phase

Growth phase. Cohesion maintained through repetition of mantras. These principles may seem irrational as a test of “true belief”.

Am I alone? The reaction, the outrage, the sense of betrayal after the first Ashes Test defeat appears excessive, unwarranted. England batted badly in Perth, as is typical there. They were savaged in the field for a couple of hours as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, carved around by the opponent playing aggressively but smarter, adaptive to conditions, an athlete shining with a kind of light around him.

And now we have this the criticism, the frustration, the perception of the team as a kind of abomination. The opinion suggests that defeat must be total, they need to lose righteously, to be scoured, destroyed, overwhelmed through sheer skill of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the simple basics of Scott Boland, seen enjoying achievements with a bashful smile similar to getting a nice new fishing rod. What impact will this have?

4. The Backlash Phase

Problems arise because of mistakes. But the cult cannot admit errors. It starts to feed on anger towards critics.

In truth, a few days before the upcoming game, we have now reached an intriguing moment in the journey of this thing. England could quite easily win in the next Test with bold tactics. More likely, defeat could come swiftly. In case of defeat it appears we really might be entering the final stage.

Prior to that, a couple of points to consider on the topic. More than two years ago, during the initial excitement, of passion and hope, an piece was published suggesting Bazball was a cult. There was outrage, which was helpful because everyone knows how to confirm something definitely isn’t a cult is should followers respond with anger rejecting criticism of its truths.

The developments recently are equally notable. Criticism of the approach has now become the cult. Online outrage is widespread, angry English pundits, images of frustrated followers overseas disappointed by the short match, reminiscent of investors demanding recourse.

On the other hand, there is the broader context of the opponent’s mixed more culturally hard-wired exasperation with the aggressive tourists, stating, your cherished traditions and have honed as part of your identity culturally from us, it’s not serious after all.

Here lies the truth. It’s all cults. The approach was a phenomenon because cricket is a cult. Or at least, the team has long been exclusive, a circle, an elite gathering, an insular community with two hundred years of ceremonial past defining it. Historically, this was a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the imperial sport of England, the early image-makers. And notably, the nation has its own culture, a structure of hidden ranks, a place that literally still has a king.

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 past, building another enclosure, a closed circle, but now with 15 cool guys and a leader promoting authenticity if you fit the mold.

Live where your feet are. Embrace challenges. Despite efforts, you remain stuck.

Reflecting on this, it might be appropriate to have some sympathy for the approach, to recognize its positives, which are significant. How to define it? Creating a sense of freedom. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with