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

1. The Big Idea

A dominant personality or leaders introduce an innovative concept offering a panacea for disconnected individuals.

So here we are. They’re getting ready to challenge the establishment down in Brisbane. Pressure is mounting. Signs of trouble appear from within. One individual, vulnerable, nervous, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT displayed prominently as a symbol, has emerged into view and is removed under a blanket to a different team elsewhere.

Do you ever miss the beginning, when optimism reigned? The era of early Bazball, of pure instinct.

2. Initial Adoration

Team architects offer a new start, hope for a future, camaraderie, salvation within a community with shared faith in the method.

How did it feel at first? Just men on a balcony feeling good. Body art. Forearms. Focus. Peak performance vibes. Admittedly, England’s players often say they don’t use the label, amusingly because if it doesn’t exist, what exactly did I just watch?

But we know its essence. It’s the player executing a stroke so depraved it defies description. It’s the adrenaline of Ben Stokes at his peak, a look that says: thoughtful warrior, rugged appearance, natural look, so authentically Modern Savage you wouldn’t be surprised to glance over and see him playing at mid-off shirtless holding a fish.

It’s Ben Duckett continuing to have permission to talk in press conferences, appearing as a happy little woodland creature in a waistcoat, saying stuff like we are actively deconstructing the orange. Certainly, the vibe, initially, was uplifting.

3. A New Life

Development stage. Togetherness strengthened through repetition of mantras. These principles may seem irrational as a test of “true belief”.

Is it just me? The criticism, the outrage, the sense of betrayal post-defeat seems too strong, overdone. England batted badly during the match, as is typical there. They were savaged defensively for a couple of hours as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, manipulated by Travis Head playing aggressively but smarter, adjusting to the pitch, an athlete shining with aura.

Now there is the attacks, the anger, the perception of the team as a disgrace. The consensus is that losing isn’t enough, they should be dismantled, to be purged, destroyed, destroyed through sheer skill of the pace attack, the simple basics of the bowler, seen enjoying successes modestly similar to getting a nice new fishing rod. How will they respond?

4. Hate Bonding

Issues emerge due to setbacks. But the cult cannot admit errors. It turns to anger towards critics.

The fact remains, approaching the next match, we have now reached a delicious point of tension in the journey of this thing. Victory is possible in Brisbane with bold tactics. Probably, defeat could come swiftly. And if they do lose it feels like we could be witnessing the death cult phase.

Before that happens, a couple of points to consider about this. Previously, back in those heady early days, of passion and hope, an piece was published labeling it a movement. People were very angry, which demonstrated since it’s clear the best way of proving something definitely isn’t a cult is when its acolytes react defensively denying scrutiny of the beliefs.

The developments recently are fascinating. Opposition to the style has turned into a movement. Social media is furious, angry English pundits, pictures of upset supporters abroad cheated out of three days of cricket, like a room full of investors demanding recourse.

Meanwhile, there is the broader context of the host’s complex ingrained annoyance towards the unconventional visitors, claiming, your cherished traditions and have honed as part of your identity culturally from us, well, it’s all a bit of a gag in the end old boy.

This is the core issue. Everything is a cult. Bazball was a cult as the game has its own culture. Or at least, the sport in England is closed, a clique, an elite gathering, an insular community with a long history of tradition and mystery defining it. Historically, this was where influence is guarded. It’s the colonial game of England, the original sports washers. And notably, the nation has its own culture, a system of unknown levels, a place that literally still has a king.

The players have been isolated in this system from a young age. Seeking change, to create a less brutal environment, they are simply replicating their upbringing, forming a new circle, a limited community, however with a new team and a mentor promoting authenticity if you fit the mold.

Stay present. Embrace challenges. Despite efforts, things stay similar.

With this mind, it is perhaps the moment to have some sympathy for the approach, to appreciate its good points, of which there are many. How to define it? Promoting liberation. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with