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The Journey of a Cult can be characterized by clear stages.

1. The Core Concept

A charismatic leader or coaches present an innovative concept offering a cure for alienated and vulnerable people.

Thus we find ourselves. Preparations are underway to challenge the establishment in Australia. Pressure is mounting. Signs of trouble appear from the sidelines. One individual, vulnerable, anxious, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT written on his body as a symbol, has stumbled through the lines and is being led away under a blanket towards an inconclusive loan stint elsewhere.

Remember the start, when everything was fresh? The days of Bazball 1.0, of pure instinct.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Team architects offer a reboot, hope for a future, support, redemption within a community with shared faith in the big idea.

What did it represent back then? A team united basking in glory. Body art. Strength. Jawlines. Confident masculinity. Admittedly, The squad often say it’s not a real term, which is funny as it’s denied, what exactly did I just watch?

Yet it’s clear the concept. It’s the player executing a stroke so outrageous it defies description. It’s the thrill of the leader in his final form, a demeanor suggesting: thoughtful warrior, beard made of wood, natural look, so authentically Modern Savage you almost imagine to glance over and notice he’s fielding in the field stripped to the waist embracing nature.

It’s Ben Duckett continuing to have permission speaking publicly, resembling a joyful figure formally attired, expressing thoughts like we’re challenging norms. Indeed, the vibe, for quite a long time, was uplifting.

3. Expansion Period

Building period. Unity enforced through repetition of key phrases. These ideas may seem irrational as a test of “true belief”.

Is it just me? The criticism, the anger, the feeling of letdown after the first Ashes Test defeat appears excessive, too much. England batted badly on the field, as they often do in Australia. They were dominated while bowling for a couple of hours when tactics failed, manipulated by the opponent playing aggressively but smarter, adaptive to conditions, a performer excelling with a kind of light around him.

Currently, we see the criticism, the anger, the sense of English Test cricket as a failure. The feeling seems to be that England don’t just need to lose, they must be humbled, to be purged, flame-throwered, overwhelmed by the vengeful purity of the bowler’s action, the conventional tactics of the bowler, out there celebrating achievements humbly as if receiving a pleasant gift. How will they respond?

4. Hate Bonding

Problems arise because of mistakes. Yet, mistakes are denied. It turns to hostility externally.

In truth, a few days before the upcoming game, we are at a delicious point of tension in the story of this approach. Victory is possible overseas in a blur of adrenal disruption. Probably, defeat could come swiftly. In case of defeat it feels like we really might be entering the death cult phase.

Before that happens, a couple of points to consider regarding this. In the past, back in those heady early days, of light and heat, a column appeared calling it a phenomenon. People were very angry, which proved the point because everyone knows a method to show lack of cult status is when its acolytes respond with anger denying scrutiny of the beliefs.

Recent events recently is just as interesting. It seems that hating Bazball is now the trend. Social media is furious, angry English pundits, pictures of upset followers overseas disappointed by the short match, reminiscent of people wanting fairness.

Meanwhile, we have the wider backdrop of the host’s complex more culturally hard-wired exasperation with the aggressive tourists, stating, hey, that thing you love and have honed to distinguish yourselves from the opposition, it’s not serious ultimately.

And this is the real point. All movements are similar. The style was a trend because cricket is a cult. Or at least, the sport in England is closed, a clique, an elite gathering, an insular community with centuries of opaque and ritualistic cult history defining it. Historically, this was where entry is limited. It’s the imperial sport of the British, the early image-makers. And notably, Britain is itself a cult, a structure of hidden ranks, a monarchy still exists.

The team have been isolated within this world from a young age. Attempting to break free, to create a less brutal environment, they are just repeating their upbringing, forming a new circle, a closed circle, but now with a new team and a leader promoting authenticity provided you conform.

Stay present. Embrace challenges. But no matter how fast and far you run, you’re always basically in the same place.

Reflecting on this, it might be appropriate to have some sympathy for the movement, to appreciate its good points, which are significant. What does it represent? Promoting liberation. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with