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The Life Cycle of a Cult tends to be defined by clear stages.

1. The Big Idea

A charismatic leader or leaders introduce a new and transcendent idea that promises a solution for alienated and vulnerable people.

So here we are. They’re getting ready to confront the system in Australia. Tensions are rising. Smoke is rising from within. An isolated player, vulnerable, shivering, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT smeared across his chest as a statement, has stumbled from the field and is being led away with discretion to a different team elsewhere.

Do you recall the early days, when everything was fresh? The days of Bazball 1.0, of Bazball without brains.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Cult leaders promise a fresh beginning, a brighter tomorrow, love, redemption together united in belief in the big idea.

How did it feel back then? Just men on a balcony basking in glory. Body art. Muscles. Determination. Peak performance vibes. Of course, England’s players will claim it’s not a real term, which is funny as it’s denied, what exactly did I just watch?

However, everyone understands what it is. It’s the batsman attempting a move so unconventional it defies description. It’s the adrenaline of the captain in his final form, an expression conveying: thoughtful warrior, rugged appearance, natural look, so authentically Modern Savage you almost imagine to notice and find him positioned in the field stripped to the waist embracing nature.

It’s the batsman continuing to have permission speaking publicly, out there looking like a joyful figure smartly dressed, expressing thoughts like we’re breaking down traditions. Indeed, the vibe, initially, was uplifting.

3. The Growth Phase

Growth phase. Cohesion maintained via memorization of the cult’s slogans. These ideas may seem irrational as a loyalty check.

Is it just me? The criticism, the outrage, the feeling of letdown post-defeat seems too strong, too much. The performance was poor during the match, as they often do in Australia. They were savaged in the field in a short span as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, carved around by the batsman imitating their style effectively, adaptive to conditions, a man playing with a kind of light around him.

And now we have this the attacks, the anger, the view of the sport as a failure. The consensus is that England don’t just need to lose, they should be dismantled, to be purged, flame-throwered, defeated by the vengeful purity of the bowler’s action, the simple basics of the veteran, marking his wickets modestly as if receiving a rewarding prize. How will they respond?

4. External Conflict

Challenges surface because of mistakes. However, faults are ignored. It turns to hatred of the outside world.

In truth, half a week out the upcoming game, we’ve entered an intriguing moment in the journey of this thing. Victory is possible overseas in a blur of adrenal disruption. Alternatively, they could lose just as quickly. In case of defeat it feels like we could be witnessing the final stage.

Prior to that, there are two things worth saying on the topic. More than two years ago, at the start, of optimism and energy, I wrote an article suggesting Bazball was a cult. People were very angry, which was helpful since it’s clear the best way of proving something definitely isn’t a cult is if supporters respond with anger objecting to the questioning of its truths.

What has happened in the last few days are fascinating. Criticism of the approach is now the trend. Online outrage is widespread, critical analysts, pictures of upset travelling fans missing out on play, similar to investors demanding recourse.

On the other hand, we have the wider backdrop of Australia’s more nuanced ingrained annoyance with the aggressive tourists, stating, hey, that thing you love and have honed to distinguish yourselves from the opposition, it’s just a joke after all.

Here lies the truth. It’s all cults. The approach was a phenomenon because cricket is a cult. In fact, the sport in England is closed, a clique, an elite gathering, a restricted environment with a long history of opaque and ritualistic cult history supporting it. This has always been where influence is guarded. It’s the British pastime of the British, the early image-makers. And surprisingly, Britain is itself a cult, a system of unknown levels, a royal family remains.

The players have been isolated in this environment from a young age. Seeking change, to foster positivity, they are mirroring their past, forming a new circle, a limited community, but doing it this time with 15 cool guys and a leader who wants you to be yourself provided you conform.

Focus on the moment. 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 offer compassion for the movement, to acknowledge its merits, which are significant. What does it represent? Creating a sense of freedom. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with