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The Life Cycle of a Cult is often characterized by distinct phases.

1. The Grand Vision

A charismatic leader or coaches present an innovative concept offering a panacea for disconnected individuals.

And so it goes. They’re getting ready to storm the compound in Australia. Tensions are rising. Signs of trouble appear from the out-houses. One individual, vulnerable, nervous, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT written on his body as a statement, has emerged into view and is removed in secrecy towards an inconclusive loan stint in county cricket.

Remember the early days, when optimism reigned? The era of early Bazball, of Bazball without brains.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Cult leaders guarantee a new start, a brighter tomorrow, love, salvation together with shared faith in the philosophy.

How did it feel back then? Players celebrating feeling good. Tattoos. Muscles. Jawlines. Confident masculinity. Oh sure, The squad often say Bazball doesn’t actually exist, which is funny because if it doesn’t exist, what exactly did I just watch?

Yet it’s clear what it is. It’s the batsman attempting a move so outrageous it has to be pixelated. It’s the adrenaline of the captain at his peak, a look that says: thoughtful warrior, strong features, untamed style, genuinely raw you half-expect to glance over and see him playing on the ground stripped to the waist holding a fish.

It’s Ben Duckett often seen to talk in press conferences, resembling a joyful figure smartly dressed, saying stuff like we’re challenging norms. And yes, the energy, for quite a long time, was only good energy.

3. A New Life

Development stage. Unity enforced by rote learning of the cult’s slogans. These beliefs are often illogical as a test of “true belief”.

Does anyone else feel? The backlash, the anger, the sense of betrayal following the initial loss appears excessive, unwarranted. The performance was poor during the match, as history shows. They were savaged while bowling for a couple of hours as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, outplayed by Travis Head imitating their style effectively, adaptive to conditions, a performer excelling with a kind of light around him.

Now there is the attacks, the rage, the view of the sport as a failure. The opinion suggests that defeat must be total, they need to lose righteously, to be cleansed, flame-throwered, defeated via traditional methods of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the low-fi orthodoxies of the veteran, seen enjoying achievements with a bashful smile similar to getting a nice new fishing rod. What impact will this have?

4. External Conflict

Problems arise due to setbacks. Yet, mistakes are denied. It turns to hatred of the outside world.

In truth, 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 through aggressive play. More likely, defeat could come swiftly. And if they do lose it appears we really might be entering the decline.

Ahead of this, a couple of points worth saying about this. More than two years ago, back in those heady early days, of passion and hope, an piece was published calling it a phenomenon. Criticism followed, which proved the point since it’s clear how to confirm that it’s not a closed group is if supporters react defensively denying scrutiny of its truths.

Recent events in the last few days are equally notable. Criticism of the approach has turned into a movement. We have a uniformly angry internet, critical analysts, shots of angry middle-aged supporters abroad cheated out of three days of cricket, reminiscent of timeshare owners seeking justice.

On the other hand, there is the broader context of Australia’s more nuanced deep-seated frustration at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, claiming, your cherished traditions and have honed as one way of separating yourself from others, it’s not serious in the end old boy.

This is the core issue. It’s all cults. Bazball was a cult since the sport itself is insular. Or at least, the team has long been exclusive, a group, an elite gathering, a closed world with centuries of tradition and mystery supporting it. Historically, this was where entry is limited. It’s the colonial game of the nation, the early image-makers. And notably, the nation has its own culture, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a royal family remains.

England’s cricketers have been isolated in this environment since childhood. Seeking change, to build a better atmosphere, they are mirroring their past, creating another a bubble, an exclusive group, but doing it this time with a new team and a mentor encouraging individuality if you fit the mold.

Stay present. Embrace challenges. Despite efforts, things stay similar.

Reflecting on this, now is the time to offer compassion for the approach, to acknowledge its merits, that are numerous. How to define it? Promoting liberation. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with