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The Evolution of a Cult is often defined by specific steps.

1. The Big Idea

An inspiring figure or figureheads introduce a revolutionary approach pledging a panacea for alienated and vulnerable people.

Thus we find ourselves. Preparations are underway to confront the system down in Brisbane. The gunships are circling. Conflict emerges from the sidelines. A lone figure, exposed, nervous, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET smeared across his chest in chicken blood, has stumbled through the lines and is removed in secrecy towards an inconclusive loan stint in county cricket.

Remember the beginning, when everything was fresh? The initial phase, of pure instinct.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Cult leaders offer a reboot, optimism ahead, camaraderie, success together with shared faith in the philosophy.

How did it feel initially? Just men on a balcony feeling good. Body art. Muscles. Focus. Peak performance vibes. Admittedly, England’s players insist they don’t use the label, ironically because if it doesn’t exist, what was that spectacle?

But we know its essence. It’s the player playing a shot so unconventional it has to be pixelated. It’s the thrill of Ben Stokes in his final form, an expression conveying: focused titan, strong features, untamed style, genuinely raw you half-expect to look down and see him playing on the ground bare-chested holding a fish.

It’s the opener still being allowed speaking publicly, appearing as a happy little woodland creature formally attired, expressing thoughts like we are actively deconstructing the orange. Certainly, the energy, for quite a long time, was only good energy.

3. The Growth Phase

Growth phase. Togetherness strengthened by rote learning of mantras. These ideas may seem irrational as a test of “true belief”.

Does anyone else feel? The backlash, the fury, the sense of betrayal post-defeat seems too strong, overdone. England batted badly during the match, as they often do in Australia. They were dominated in the field in a short span when tactics failed, carved around by Travis Head imitating their style effectively, adjusting to the pitch, a performer excelling with aura.

Currently, we see the criticism, the anger, the sense of English Test cricket as a failure. The consensus is that defeat must be total, they should be dismantled, to be purged, flame-throwered, destroyed via traditional methods of the bowler’s action, the low-fi orthodoxies of the veteran, marking successes modestly similar to getting a rewarding prize. How will they respond?

4. The Backlash Phase

Issues emerge due to setbacks. However, faults are ignored. It turns to hostility externally.

The fact remains, half a week out the upcoming game, we are at a critical juncture in the journey of this thing. Victory is possible overseas in a blur of adrenal disruption. Probably, they could lose just as quickly. Should they fail it appears we could be witnessing the final stage.

Before that happens, there are two things to note about this. Previously, back in those heady early days, of optimism and energy, an piece was published calling it a phenomenon. Criticism followed, which proved the point since it’s clear how to confirm lack of cult status is should followers respond with anger objecting to the questioning of the philosophy.

What has happened recently are fascinating. Criticism of the approach is now the trend. Social media is furious, angry English pundits, images of frustrated travelling fans cheated out of three days of cricket, similar to timeshare owners seeking justice.

On the other hand, we have the wider backdrop of the host’s complex deep-seated frustration towards the unconventional visitors, claiming, hey, that thing you love and have developed to distinguish yourselves from others, well, it’s all a bit of a gag after all.

Here lies the truth. Everything is a cult. The approach was a phenomenon since the sport itself is insular. In fact, the team has long been exclusive, a clique, a private event, a closed world with a long history of tradition and mystery supporting it. It has long been where entry is limited. It’s the British pastime of England, the pioneering brand. And guess what, Britain is itself a cult, a structure of hidden ranks, a monarchy still exists.

The team have been isolated within this world for years. Seeking change, to create a less brutal environment, they are mirroring their upbringing, creating another a bubble, a limited community, but doing it this time with a modern squad and a mentor encouraging individuality if you fit the mold.

Live where your feet are. Embrace challenges. However much you change, you’re always basically in the same place.

Considering this, it is perhaps the moment to have some sympathy for Bazball, to appreciate its good points, of which there are many. What does it represent? Promoting liberation. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with