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The Journey of a Phenomenon is often marked by clear stages.

1. The Grand Vision

A charismatic leader or leaders present a revolutionary approach pledging a solution for disconnected individuals.

Thus we find ourselves. Plans are in motion to storm the compound down in Brisbane. Pressure is mounting. Smoke is rising from within. An isolated player, naked, anxious, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT displayed prominently in chicken blood, has come staggering into view and is being led away in secrecy for a temporary assignment elsewhere.

Do you recall the beginning, when optimism reigned? The initial phase, of Bazball without brains.

2. Love-Bombing

Movement founders promise a new start, optimism ahead, love, salvation among a group united in belief in the philosophy.

How did it feel at first? Just men on a balcony basking in glory. Tattoos. Forearms. Jawlines. Confident masculinity. Of course, The team insist Bazball doesn’t actually exist, amusingly as it’s denied, what exactly did I just watch?

However, everyone understands its essence. It’s the player executing a stroke so unconventional it defies description. It’s the thrill of the captain at his peak, a look that says: pensive Nordic god, beard made of wood, natural look, truly contemporary you wouldn’t be surprised to notice and find him positioned in the field bare-chested holding a fish.

It’s the batsman still being allowed to talk in press conferences, appearing as a cheerful animal in a waistcoat, uttering phrases such as we are actively deconstructing the orange. Certainly, the atmosphere, for quite a long time, was entirely positive.

3. Expansion Period

Growth phase. Unity enforced via memorization of mantras. These beliefs can appear contradictory as a test of “true belief”.

Does anyone else feel? The backlash, the outrage, the sense of betrayal following the initial loss feels overblown, overdone. England batted badly in Perth, as they often do in Australia. They were savaged in the field for a couple of hours as plans unraveled, carved around by Travis Head playing aggressively but smarter, responsive to the situation, an athlete shining with brilliance.

Now there is the pile-on, the anger, the sense of English Test cricket as a failure. The feeling seems to be that losing isn’t enough, they must be humbled, to be scoured, obliterated, defeated by the vengeful purity of the bowler’s action, the low-fi orthodoxies of Scott Boland, out there celebrating achievements with a bashful smile similar to getting a rewarding prize. What will this do to them?

4. The Backlash Phase

Issues emerge due to setbacks. But the cult cannot admit errors. It turns to hostility externally.

In truth, approaching the next match, we’ve entered an intriguing moment in the story of this approach. England could quite easily win overseas in a blur of adrenal disruption. Alternatively, failure may follow. Should they fail it seems we could be witnessing the final stage.

Ahead of this, there are two things worth saying regarding this. In the past, at the start, of optimism and energy, an piece was published labeling it a movement. There was outrage, which demonstrated as it’s known a method to show something definitely isn’t a cult is should followers react defensively denying scrutiny of its truths.

Recent events recently are equally notable. It seems that hating Bazball is now the trend. Online outrage is widespread, disappointed commentators, pictures of upset followers overseas cheated out of three days of cricket, reminiscent of investors demanding recourse.

Conversely, there is the broader context of Australia’s more nuanced ingrained annoyance with the aggressive tourists, out there saying, your cherished traditions and have developed to distinguish yourselves from the opposition, it’s not serious after all.

This is the core issue. It’s all cults. The approach was a phenomenon because cricket is a cult. Or rather, English cricket has always been a cult, a group, an elite gathering, a closed world with a long history of opaque and ritualistic cult history defining it. Historically, this was where entry is limited. It’s the colonial game of England, the original sports washers. And surprisingly, Britain is itself a cult, a structure of hidden ranks, a monarchy still exists.

The team have been isolated in this environment since childhood. In trying to escape from it, to foster positivity, they are just repeating their upbringing, creating another a bubble, a limited community, however with a new team and a coach encouraging individuality if you fit the mold.

Focus on the moment. Run towards the danger. But no matter how fast and far you run, you remain stuck.

Considering this, now is the time to offer compassion for Bazball, to recognize its positives, which are significant. How to define it? Encouraging expression. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with