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The Life Cycle of a Movement tends to be characterized by distinct phases.

1. The Grand Vision

A dominant personality or figureheads present a revolutionary approach that promises a cure for alienated and vulnerable people.

Thus we find ourselves. They’re getting ready to storm the compound down in Brisbane. Pressure is mounting. Smoke is rising from within. An isolated player, vulnerable, shivering, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET smeared across his chest as a statement, has emerged through the lines and is taken aside in secrecy towards an inconclusive loan stint at Derbyshire.

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

2. Love-Bombing

Cult leaders offer a fresh beginning, hope for a future, camaraderie, salvation within a community united in belief in the method.

What did it represent back then? Just men on a balcony enjoying success. Tattoos. Forearms. Focus. Confident masculinity. Oh sure, England’s players will claim it’s not a real term, amusingly since it’s not recognized, what was that spectacle?

Yet it’s clear the concept. It’s the player executing a stroke so depraved it’s beyond belief. It’s the excitement of Ben Stokes in ultimate mode, a look that says: focused titan, rugged appearance, hair woven from beaver hide, truly contemporary you almost imagine to notice and notice he’s fielding in the field shirtless embracing nature.

It’s the opener still being allowed to talk in press conferences, appearing as a happy little woodland creature formally attired, saying stuff like we are actively deconstructing the orange. And yes, the atmosphere, for quite a long time, was only good energy.

3. The Growth Phase

Building period. Unity enforced by rote learning of key phrases. These principles are often illogical to prove commitment.

Am I alone? The reaction, the fury, the feeling of letdown following the initial loss feels overblown, unwarranted. The performance was poor in Perth, as they often do in Australia. They were dominated defensively for a couple of hours as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, outplayed by Travis Head imitating their style effectively, responsive to the situation, an athlete shining with a kind of light around him.

And now we have this the criticism, the rage, the perception of the team as a failure. The consensus is that losing isn’t enough, they must be humbled, to be purged, obliterated, overwhelmed by the vengeful purity of the bowler’s action, the conventional tactics of Scott Boland, marking his wickets humbly like he’s just been given a rewarding prize. What impact will this have?

4. External Conflict

Problems arise because of mistakes. Yet, mistakes are denied. It starts to feed on hatred of the outside world.

In truth, half a week out the upcoming game, we are at a critical juncture in the journey of this approach. Victory is possible overseas through aggressive play. Alternatively, failure may follow. Should they fail it appears we may see the final stage.

Prior to that, a couple of points to note on the topic. Previously, back in those heady early days, of light and heat, I wrote an article calling it a phenomenon. Criticism followed, which proved the point since it’s clear how to confirm lack of cult status is if supporters react defensively denying scrutiny of the beliefs.

The developments recently are equally notable. Criticism of the approach has turned into a movement. Online outrage is widespread, critical analysts, shots of angry middle-aged travelling fans missing out on play, like a room full of timeshare owners seeking justice.

On the other hand, we have the wider backdrop of the opponent’s mixed deep-seated frustration at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, stating, hey, that thing you love and have honed as one way of separating yourself from the opposition, well, it’s all a bit of a gag after all.

And this is the real point. It’s all cults. Bazball was a cult since the sport itself is insular. Or rather, the sport in England is closed, a circle, an elite gathering, a restricted environment with two hundred years of opaque and ritualistic cult history behind it. Historically, this was where entry is limited. It’s the British pastime of the British, the pioneering brand. And notably, Britain is itself a cult, a system of unknown levels, a monarchy still exists.

England’s cricketers have been isolated within this world since childhood. Seeking change, to foster positivity, they are simply replicating their own experience, creating another a bubble, an exclusive group, but doing it this time with 15 cool guys and a mentor promoting authenticity if you fit the mold.

Focus on the moment. Confront risks. However much you change, you remain stuck.

With this mind, now is the time to offer compassion for the movement, to recognize its positives, of which there are many. How to define it? Creating a sense of freedom. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with