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The Journey of a Phenomenon is often marked by clear stages.

1. The Core Concept

A charismatic leader or coaches propose an innovative concept offering a cure for struggling players.

And so it goes. Preparations are underway to confront the system in Australia. The gunships are circling. Signs of trouble appear from the sidelines. A lone figure, exposed, anxious, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET smeared across his chest as a statement, has stumbled into view and is being led away under a blanket towards an inconclusive loan stint in county cricket.

Remember the early days, when the world was still young? The days of Bazball 1.0, of uninhibited aggression.

2. Initial Adoration

Cult leaders guarantee a fresh beginning, a brighter tomorrow, support, redemption among a group who all believe in the method.

What did it represent at first? A team united enjoying success. Body art. Strength. Jawlines. Elite male wellness energy. Of course, The squad insist they don’t use the label, ironically since it’s not recognized, what exactly did I just watch?

But we know what it is. It’s Harry Brook executing a stroke so depraved it defies description. It’s the excitement of Ben Stokes at his peak, an expression conveying: thoughtful warrior, beard made of wood, natural look, so authentically Modern Savage you almost imagine to look down and see him playing on the ground shirtless and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s the opener still being allowed addressing the media, appearing as a cheerful animal formally attired, expressing thoughts like we’re breaking down traditions. Certainly, the atmosphere, initially, was only good energy.

3. The Growth Phase

Building period. Togetherness strengthened by rote learning of mantras. These beliefs may seem irrational to prove commitment.

Does anyone else feel? The criticism, the anger, the sense of betrayal after the first Ashes Test defeat seems too strong, overdone. The performance was poor during the match, as is typical there. They were dominated while bowling for a couple of hours when tactics failed, carved around by the batsman batting like England but better, adaptive to conditions, an athlete shining with brilliance.

Now there is the criticism, the frustration, the perception of the team as a failure. The feeling seems to be that England don’t just need to lose, they should be dismantled, to be cleansed, flame-throwered, defeated via traditional methods of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the simple basics of Scott Boland, marking achievements with a bashful smile like he’s just been given a nice new fishing rod. How will they respond?

4. External Conflict

Problems arise from failures in the plan. But the cult cannot admit errors. It starts to feed on hatred of the outside world.

Ultimately, a few days before the next match, we have now reached a delicious point of tension in the lifespan of this approach. They might succeed overseas with bold tactics. More likely, failure may follow. In case of defeat it appears we really might be entering the decline.

Prior to that, there are two things to consider on the topic. More than two years ago, at the start, of light and heat, I wrote an article labeling it a movement. People were very angry, which proved the point as it’s known the best way of proving something definitely isn’t a cult is when its acolytes respond with anger denying scrutiny of the beliefs.

The developments lately are equally notable. Opposition to the style has turned into a movement. We have a uniformly angry internet, critical analysts, shots of angry middle-aged travelling fans missing out on play, reminiscent of timeshare owners seeking justice.

Conversely, exists the larger scene of the host’s complex more culturally hard-wired exasperation at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, out there saying, your cherished traditions and have honed as one way of separating yourself from others, it’s just a joke after all.

Here lies the truth. Everything is a cult. The style was a trend because cricket is a cult. In fact, the sport in England is closed, a circle, an elite gathering, a closed world with a long history of ceremonial past behind it. Historically, this was where entry is limited. It’s the British pastime of England, the pioneering brand. And guess what, Britain is itself a cult, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a place that literally still has a king.

The players have been isolated in this environment for years. Attempting to break free, to create a less brutal environment, they are mirroring their own experience, building another enclosure, an exclusive group, however with a new team and a leader who wants you to be yourself provided you conform.

Live where your feet are. Confront risks. However much you change, you remain stuck.

Considering this, it is perhaps the moment to offer compassion for the movement, to recognize its positives, of which there are many. How to define it? Creating a sense of freedom. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with