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

1. The Grand Vision

A dominant personality or leaders present an innovative concept that promises a cure 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 within. One individual, naked, anxious, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT written on his body in chicken blood, has stumbled through the lines and is being led away with discretion towards an inconclusive loan stint at Derbyshire.

Remember the early days, when optimism reigned? The initial phase, of pure instinct.

2. Love-Bombing

Team architects offer a reboot, optimism ahead, camaraderie, salvation together with shared faith in the big idea.

What did it represent back then? A team united feeling good. Tattoos. Strength. Determination. Confident masculinity. Oh sure, The team often say Bazball doesn’t actually exist, ironically because if it doesn’t exist, what was that spectacle?

However, everyone understands the concept. It’s Harry Brook playing a shot so outrageous it’s beyond belief. It’s the adrenaline of the captain at his peak, an expression conveying: thoughtful warrior, beard made of wood, hair woven from beaver hide, truly contemporary you wouldn’t be surprised to glance over and find him positioned in the field shirtless embracing nature.

It’s the batsman continuing to have permission speaking publicly, out there looking like a joyful figure in a waistcoat, saying stuff like we’re breaking down traditions. And yes, the energy, initially, was only good energy.

3. A New Life

Development stage. Cohesion maintained by rote learning of key phrases. These principles are often illogical as a loyalty check.

Is it just me? The backlash, the fury, the sense of betrayal post-defeat seems too strong, unwarranted. England batted badly in Perth, as history shows. They were dominated defensively for a couple of hours when tactics failed, carved around by the opponent imitating their style effectively, responsive to the situation, a performer excelling with a kind of light around him.

Currently, we see the pile-on, the anger, the sense of English Test cricket as a failure. The feeling seems to be that defeat must be total, they should be dismantled, to be cleansed, obliterated, destroyed by the vengeful purity of the bowler’s action, the simple basics of the veteran, seen enjoying successes modestly like he’s just been given a rewarding prize. How will they respond?

4. Hate Bonding

Issues emerge from failures in the plan. But the cult cannot admit errors. It turns to anger towards critics.

Ultimately, a few days before the upcoming game, we’ve entered an intriguing moment in the journey of this movement. They might succeed in the next Test in a blur of adrenal disruption. More likely, defeat could come swiftly. In case of defeat it seems we may see the final stage.

Ahead of this, there are two things to note regarding this. Previously, back in those heady early days, of light and heat, I wrote an article labeling it a movement. Criticism followed, which was helpful since it’s clear how to confirm lack of cult status is should followers respond with anger objecting to the questioning of the philosophy.

The developments in the last few days are equally notable. Criticism of the approach has now become the cult. We have a uniformly angry internet, critical analysts, pictures of upset followers overseas cheated out of three days of cricket, reminiscent of investors demanding recourse.

Conversely, we have the wider backdrop of the host’s complex deep-seated frustration at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, out there saying, your cherished traditions and have developed as one way of separating yourself from others, it’s just a joke after all.

This is the core issue. Everything is a cult. The style was a trend because cricket is a cult. Or at least, English cricket has always been a cult, a group, a garden party, an insular community with two hundred years of tradition and mystery behind it. This has always been where entry is limited. It’s the imperial sport of England, the original sports washers. And notably, Britain is itself a cult, a structure of hidden ranks, a royal family remains.

The team have been enclosed within this world for years. In trying to escape from it, to create a less brutal environment, they are mirroring their past, building another enclosure, a closed circle, however with a new team and a mentor who wants you to be yourself if you fit the mold.

Stay present. Run towards the danger. However much you change, you remain stuck.

Reflecting on this, it is perhaps the moment to offer compassion for Bazball, to acknowledge its merits, which are significant. What does it represent? Encouraging expression. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with