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The Life Cycle of a Cult tends to be defined by specific steps.

1. The Grand Vision

A charismatic leader or figureheads introduce a revolutionary approach offering a cure for disconnected individuals.

So here we are. Preparations are underway to challenge the establishment down in Brisbane. Pressure is mounting. Smoke is rising from the sidelines. One individual, naked, nervous, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT smeared across his chest as a statement, has emerged through the lines and is taken aside with discretion towards an inconclusive loan stint elsewhere.

Remember the beginning, when optimism reigned? The initial phase, of uninhibited aggression.

2. Initial Adoration

Cult leaders guarantee a new start, a brighter tomorrow, love, success together with shared faith in the big idea.

What did it represent at first? A team united basking in glory. Body art. Strength. Jawlines. Confident masculinity. Of course, The team insist they don’t use the label, ironically since it’s not recognized, what exactly did I just watch?

However, everyone understands its essence. It’s the player executing a stroke so unconventional it’s beyond belief. It’s the thrill of Ben Stokes at his peak, a demeanor suggesting: focused titan, rugged appearance, hair woven from beaver hide, genuinely raw you half-expect to notice and notice he’s fielding at mid-off stripped to the waist and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s Ben Duckett often seen speaking publicly, resembling a happy little woodland creature smartly dressed, saying stuff like we’re breaking down traditions. Indeed, the vibe, for quite a long time, was uplifting.

3. The Growth Phase

Building period. Togetherness strengthened via memorization of the cult’s slogans. These beliefs may seem irrational as a test of “true belief”.

Does anyone else feel? The criticism, the fury, the disappointment post-defeat appears excessive, unwarranted. The performance was poor in Perth, as they often do in Australia. They were torn apart defensively during a brief period as plans unraveled, carved around by Travis Head imitating their style effectively, responsive to the situation, a performer excelling with brilliance.

Now there is the attacks, the anger, the view of the sport as a disgrace. The consensus is that England don’t just need to lose, they must be humbled, to be cleansed, flame-throwered, overwhelmed via traditional methods of the pace attack, the low-fi orthodoxies of the veteran, out there celebrating successes with a bashful smile as if receiving a rewarding prize. What impact will this have?

4. External Conflict

Issues emerge due to setbacks. But the cult cannot admit errors. It starts to feed on anger towards critics.

The fact remains, a few days before the next match, we have now reached a delicious point of tension in the journey of this movement. England could quite easily win overseas with bold tactics. Probably, defeat could come swiftly. In case of defeat it appears we could be witnessing the death cult phase.

Ahead of this, a couple of points to note about this. In the past, at the start, of optimism and energy, an piece was published calling it a phenomenon. Criticism followed, which proved the point as it’s known the best way of proving that it’s not a closed group is when its acolytes send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages objecting to the questioning of the beliefs.

The developments recently is just as interesting. It seems that hating Bazball has now become the cult. Online outrage is widespread, angry English pundits, pictures of upset travelling fans cheated out of three days of cricket, like a room full of timeshare owners seeking justice.

Meanwhile, there is the broader context of the opponent’s mixed ingrained annoyance with the aggressive tourists, stating, the methods you value and have honed to distinguish yourselves from others, well, it’s all a bit of a gag in the end old boy.

This is the core issue. Everything is a cult. The style was a trend since the sport itself is insular. Or rather, the team has long been exclusive, a circle, an elite gathering, an insular community with a long history of ceremonial past supporting it. Historically, this was where influence is guarded. It’s the colonial game of England, the pioneering brand. And guess what, the nation has its own culture, a structure of hidden ranks, a place that literally still has a king.

The players have been isolated within this world for years. In trying to escape from it, to foster positivity, they are simply replicating their past, building another enclosure, an exclusive group, however with 15 cool guys and a leader promoting authenticity if you fit the mold.

Stay present. Confront risks. Despite efforts, you remain stuck.

Reflecting on this, it is perhaps the moment to show understanding for Bazball, to acknowledge its merits, of which there are many. How to define it? Creating a sense of freedom. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with