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The Life Cycle of a Phenomenon can be characterized by clear stages.

1. The Big Idea

A charismatic leader or leaders present an innovative concept offering a panacea for alienated and vulnerable people.

So here we are. Plans are in motion to confront the system in Australia. Pressure is mounting. Smoke is rising from the out-houses. An isolated player, vulnerable, shivering, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT smeared across his chest in chicken blood, has come staggering through the lines and is removed under a blanket towards an inconclusive loan stint elsewhere.

Do you ever miss the beginning, when optimism reigned? The days of Bazball 1.0, of uninhibited aggression.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Cult leaders offer a reboot, hope for a future, support, redemption among a group united in belief in the big idea.

What was this thing at first? Just men on a balcony enjoying success. Body art. Forearms. Focus. Confident masculinity. Of course, England’s players will claim they don’t use the label, ironically since it’s not recognized, what exactly did I just watch?

However, everyone understands what it is. It’s Harry Brook executing a stroke so outrageous it has to be pixelated. It’s the thrill of the captain in ultimate mode, an expression conveying: pensive Nordic god, strong features, untamed style, genuinely raw you wouldn’t be surprised to glance over and see him playing at mid-off stripped to the waist embracing nature.

It’s the batsman continuing to have permission speaking publicly, resembling a joyful figure smartly dressed, saying stuff like we are actively deconstructing the orange. Certainly, the energy, for quite a long time, was uplifting.

3. Expansion Period

Growth phase. Cohesion maintained through repetition of mantras. These beliefs may seem irrational as a test of “true belief”.

Is it just me? The reaction, the anger, the sense of betrayal post-defeat appears excessive, too much. The batting collapsed on the field, as history shows. They were savaged in the field during a brief period as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, carved around by the batsman imitating their style effectively, adaptive to conditions, a man playing with aura.

Now there is the attacks, the frustration, the sense of English Test cricket as a kind of abomination. The opinion suggests that England don’t just need to lose, they must be humbled, to be scoured, obliterated, overwhelmed through sheer skill of the pace attack, the conventional tactics of the bowler, seen enjoying successes humbly similar to getting a pleasant gift. How will they respond?

4. The Backlash Phase

Challenges surface from failures in the plan. However, faults are ignored. It begins to thrive on hostility externally.

In truth, a few days before the upcoming game, we have now reached a delicious point of tension in the lifespan of this thing. They might succeed in Brisbane in a blur of adrenal disruption. Probably, defeat could come swiftly. In case of defeat it seems we may see the death cult phase.

Before that happens, a couple of points worth saying about this. More than two years ago, during the initial excitement, of passion and hope, an piece was published labeling it a movement. Criticism followed, which demonstrated because everyone knows how to confirm something definitely isn’t a cult is if supporters react defensively denying scrutiny of the beliefs.

Recent events recently are equally notable. Criticism of the approach has turned into a movement. Online outrage is widespread, angry English pundits, shots of angry middle-aged followers overseas disappointed by the short match, similar to people wanting fairness.

Meanwhile, we have the wider backdrop of Australia’s more nuanced deep-seated frustration with the aggressive tourists, stating, the methods you value and have developed as one way of separating yourself from others, it’s just a joke in the end old boy.

And this is the real point. It’s all cults. The style was a trend because cricket is a cult. In fact, the sport in England is closed, a group, an elite gathering, a closed world with a long history of tradition and mystery supporting it. It has long been where entry is limited. It’s the imperial sport of the nation, the original sports washers. And guess what, the nation has its own culture, a system of unknown levels, a monarchy still exists.

England’s cricketers have been enclosed in this environment for years. Seeking change, to foster positivity, they are simply replicating their upbringing, creating another a bubble, a closed circle, however with a modern squad and a mentor encouraging individuality provided you conform.

Stay present. Confront risks. However much you change, things stay similar.

With this mind, it is perhaps the moment to show understanding for the movement, to appreciate its good points, of which there are many. What is Bazball? Creating a sense of freedom. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with