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The Journey of a Phenomenon tends to be marked by specific steps.

1. The Big Idea

A charismatic leader or coaches propose a revolutionary approach that promises a solution for alienated and vulnerable people.

So here we are. Plans are in motion to confront the system overseas. The gunships are circling. Smoke is rising from the sidelines. One individual, naked, nervous, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET written on his body in chicken blood, has stumbled into view and is taken aside with discretion for a temporary assignment in county cricket.

Do you recall the beginning, when optimism reigned? The initial phase, of Bazball without brains.

2. Initial Adoration

Team architects offer a reboot, hope for a future, love, salvation within a community united in belief in the method.

What did it represent at first? Players celebrating feeling good. Tattoos. Muscles. Determination. Peak performance vibes. Admittedly, The team insist Bazball doesn’t actually exist, ironically because if it doesn’t exist, what exactly did I just watch?

Yet it’s clear its essence. It’s Harry Brook attempting a move so unconventional it’s beyond belief. It’s the adrenaline of Ben Stokes in ultimate mode, a look that says: focused titan, beard made of wood, hair woven from beaver hide, truly contemporary you half-expect to glance over and notice he’s fielding at mid-off shirtless holding a fish.

It’s the batsman often seen addressing the media, resembling a happy little woodland creature formally attired, saying stuff like we’re breaking down traditions. Indeed, the atmosphere, for a significant period, was only good energy.

3. A New Life

Growth phase. Unity enforced through repetition of the cult’s slogans. These principles may seem irrational as a test of “true belief”.

Is it just me? The criticism, the fury, the sense of betrayal following the initial loss feels overblown, too much. England batted badly during the match, as is typical there. They were dominated in the field during a brief period as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, carved around by the opponent playing aggressively but smarter, responsive to the situation, a performer excelling with a kind of light around him.

Currently, we see the pile-on, the anger, the view of the sport as a kind of abomination. The feeling seems to be that losing isn’t enough, they should be dismantled, to be scoured, destroyed, overwhelmed by the vengeful purity of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the simple basics of the bowler, marking achievements with a bashful smile similar to getting a pleasant gift. How will they respond?

4. The Backlash Phase

Challenges surface due to setbacks. But the cult cannot admit errors. It turns to hostility externally.

The fact remains, a few days before the upcoming game, we have now reached a critical juncture in the story of this thing. Victory is possible in Brisbane through aggressive play. More likely, failure may follow. Should they fail it feels like we may see the final stage.

Prior to that, a couple of points to note regarding this. More than two years ago, during the initial excitement, of light and heat, an piece was published suggesting Bazball was a cult. There was outrage, which proved the point as it’s known how to confirm something definitely isn’t a cult is if supporters respond with anger rejecting criticism of the philosophy.

What has happened in the last few days are fascinating. It seems that hating Bazball is now the trend. Online outrage is widespread, disappointed commentators, shots of angry middle-aged travelling fans cheated out of three days of cricket, reminiscent of investors demanding recourse.

On the other hand, we have the wider backdrop of the host’s complex ingrained annoyance towards the unconventional visitors, claiming, hey, that thing you love and have developed to distinguish yourselves from others, well, it’s all a bit of a gag in the end old boy.

And this is the real point. Everything is a cult. Bazball was a cult as the game has its own culture. Or rather, the team has long been exclusive, a group, a garden party, a restricted environment with two hundred years of tradition and mystery behind it. It has long been where entry is limited. It’s the British pastime of the British, the early image-makers. And surprisingly, the country is a phenomenon, a system of unknown levels, a place that literally still has a king.

England’s cricketers have been sealed up in this environment since childhood. Seeking change, to create a less brutal environment, they are just repeating their own experience, building another enclosure, a closed circle, however with a new team and a coach promoting authenticity provided you conform.

Live where your feet are. Embrace challenges. But no matter how fast and far you run, you’re always basically in the same place.

Considering this, it might be appropriate to have some sympathy for the movement, to acknowledge its merits, which are significant. What does it represent? Encouraging expression. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with