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The Life Cycle of a Cult is often marked by clear stages.

1. The Core Concept

An inspiring figure or leaders introduce an innovative concept that promises a cure for alienated and vulnerable people.

Thus we find ourselves. Preparations are underway to challenge the establishment overseas. Pressure is mounting. Smoke is rising from the sidelines. A lone figure, naked, nervous, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT smeared across his chest in chicken blood, has come staggering into view and is being led away in secrecy towards an inconclusive loan stint in county cricket.

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

2. Love-Bombing

Movement founders guarantee a fresh beginning, a brighter tomorrow, love, salvation together who all believe in the big idea.

What was this thing at first? Just men on a balcony basking in glory. Body art. Forearms. Focus. Peak performance vibes. Of course, England’s players often say Bazball doesn’t actually exist, which is funny as it’s denied, what was that spectacle?

However, everyone understands its essence. It’s the batsman attempting a move so outrageous it has to be pixelated. It’s the thrill of the leader at his peak, an expression conveying: focused titan, beard made of wood, hair woven from beaver hide, genuinely raw you wouldn’t be surprised to look down and notice he’s fielding at mid-off bare-chested and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s the batsman often seen to talk in press conferences, resembling a joyful figure smartly dressed, saying stuff like we are actively deconstructing the orange. And yes, the atmosphere, initially, was entirely positive.

3. The Growth Phase

Building period. Togetherness strengthened through repetition of key phrases. These principles are often illogical as a test of “true belief”.

Does anyone else feel? The criticism, the fury, the feeling of letdown post-defeat seems too strong, too much. The batting collapsed in Perth, as they often do in Australia. They were savaged while bowling in a short span as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, manipulated by the batsman imitating their style effectively, adaptive to conditions, an athlete shining with aura.

And now we have this the criticism, the anger, the view of the sport as a disgrace. The consensus is that losing isn’t enough, they must be humbled, to be scoured, flame-throwered, overwhelmed by the vengeful purity of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the conventional tactics of the veteran, seen enjoying achievements modestly as if receiving a nice new fishing rod. What impact will this have?

4. The Backlash Phase

Issues emerge because of mistakes. But the cult cannot admit errors. It starts to feed on hatred of the outside world.

The fact remains, a few days before the next match, we’ve entered a critical juncture in the story of this thing. England could quite easily win in the next Test with bold tactics. Probably, failure may follow. Should they fail it appears we really might be entering the final stage.

Before that happens, there are two things worth saying regarding this. In the past, during the initial excitement, of optimism and energy, I wrote an article calling it a phenomenon. People were very angry, which was helpful since it’s clear the best way of proving that it’s not a closed group is if supporters respond with anger rejecting criticism of its truths.

Recent events lately are fascinating. Opposition to the style has turned into a movement. Social media is furious, critical analysts, shots of angry middle-aged travelling fans disappointed by the short match, like a room full of people wanting fairness.

Meanwhile, we have the wider backdrop of the opponent’s mixed deep-seated frustration towards the unconventional visitors, claiming, the methods you value and have developed as part of your identity from the opposition, it’s not serious ultimately.

Here lies the truth. It’s all cults. The style was a trend because cricket is a cult. Or rather, the sport in England is closed, a circle, a garden party, an insular community with a long history of opaque and ritualistic cult history defining it. This has always been where entry is limited. It’s the imperial sport of England, the early image-makers. And guess what, the nation has its own culture, a system of unknown levels, a royal family remains.

The players have been isolated within this world from a young age. Attempting to break free, to create a less brutal environment, they are mirroring their own experience, creating another a bubble, a closed circle, however with a new team and a mentor promoting authenticity if you fit the mold.

Focus on the moment. Run towards the danger. However much you change, you remain stuck.

Reflecting on this, it might be appropriate to offer compassion for the movement, to recognize its positives, which are significant. What does it represent? Promoting liberation. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with