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The Journey of a Cult can be defined by specific steps.

1. The Core Concept

An inspiring figure or leaders present a new and transcendent idea that promises a cure for disconnected individuals.

Thus we find ourselves. Preparations are underway to challenge the establishment overseas. Pressure is mounting. Signs of trouble appear from the sidelines. One individual, naked, anxious, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT written on his body in chicken blood, has come staggering through the lines and is taken aside with discretion to a different team elsewhere.

Do you recall the early days, when the world was still young? The initial phase, of Bazball without brains.

2. Initial Adoration

Movement founders guarantee a reboot, optimism ahead, camaraderie, redemption within a community with shared faith in the big idea.

What did it represent at first? Players celebrating enjoying success. Ink. Forearms. Jawlines. Peak performance vibes. Of course, The team will claim Bazball doesn’t actually exist, which is funny since it’s not recognized, what did we see?

But we know what it is. It’s Harry Brook playing a shot so depraved it has to be pixelated. It’s the adrenaline of the leader in his final form, a demeanor suggesting: thoughtful warrior, rugged appearance, natural look, so authentically Modern Savage you half-expect to look down and notice he’s fielding in the field bare-chested holding a fish.

It’s the batsman often seen addressing the media, resembling a happy little woodland creature smartly dressed, uttering phrases such as we are actively deconstructing the orange. And yes, the energy, for quite a long time, was uplifting.

3. Expansion Period

Development stage. Cohesion maintained by rote learning of key phrases. These beliefs may seem irrational as a test of “true belief”.

Is it just me? The criticism, the fury, the feeling of letdown post-defeat appears excessive, overdone. The performance was poor during the match, as history shows. They were savaged defensively in a short span as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, outplayed by the batsman playing aggressively but smarter, adjusting to the pitch, an athlete shining with aura.

Now there is the attacks, the rage, the sense of English Test cricket as a kind of abomination. The feeling seems to be that defeat must be total, they must be humbled, to be scoured, flame-throwered, overwhelmed by the vengeful purity of the pace attack, the simple basics of the bowler, out there celebrating successes modestly as if receiving a pleasant gift. What impact will this have?

4. Hate Bonding

Problems arise because of mistakes. But the cult cannot admit errors. It begins to thrive on anger towards critics.

The fact remains, approaching the next match, we are at a critical juncture in the lifespan of this thing. England could quite easily win overseas in a blur of adrenal disruption. Probably, they could lose just as quickly. In case of defeat it feels like we really might be entering the death cult phase.

Ahead of this, a couple of points worth saying regarding this. More than two years ago, during the initial excitement, of optimism and energy, a column appeared calling it a phenomenon. People were very angry, which proved the point as it’s known the best way of proving lack of cult status is when its acolytes respond with anger denying scrutiny of its truths.

Recent events recently are fascinating. Opposition to the style has turned into a movement. Online outrage is widespread, disappointed commentators, images of frustrated travelling fans cheated out of three days of cricket, like a room full of timeshare owners seeking justice.

Conversely, exists the larger scene of the opponent’s mixed more culturally hard-wired exasperation towards the unconventional visitors, claiming, hey, that thing you love and have fostered and nurtured to distinguish yourselves from others, well, it’s all a bit of a gag after all.

And this is the real point. Everything is a cult. The style was a trend since the sport itself is insular. In fact, English cricket has always been a cult, a clique, an elite gathering, a restricted environment with centuries of ceremonial past defining it. This has always been where influence is guarded. It’s the British pastime of the British, the original sports washers. And notably, the country is a phenomenon, a structure of hidden ranks, a monarchy still exists.

The players have been enclosed within this world for years. In trying to escape from it, to build a better atmosphere, they are mirroring their own experience, building another enclosure, an exclusive group, but now with a modern squad and a coach promoting authenticity provided you conform.

Live where your feet are. Run towards the danger. However much you change, you’re always basically in the same place.

Reflecting on this, now is the time to show understanding for Bazball, to acknowledge its merits, of which there are many. What is Bazball? Encouraging expression. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with