🔗 Share this article

The Life Cycle of a Cult is often marked by specific steps.

1. The Grand Vision

An inspiring figure or leaders propose an innovative concept offering a solution for struggling players.

So here we are. They’re getting ready to confront the system down in Brisbane. The gunships are circling. Signs of trouble appear from the out-houses. A lone figure, vulnerable, anxious, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT written on his body as a statement, has come staggering through the lines and is taken aside in secrecy to a different team elsewhere.

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

2. Initial Adoration

Cult leaders guarantee a reboot, hope for a future, support, success within a community united in belief in the big idea.

How did it feel initially? Just men on a balcony enjoying success. Body art. Strength. Determination. Confident masculinity. Of course, The team insist they don’t use the label, which is funny since it’s not recognized, what exactly did I just watch?

However, everyone understands its essence. It’s the batsman attempting a move so depraved it’s beyond belief. It’s the thrill of Ben Stokes in ultimate mode, a look that says: pensive Nordic god, beard made of wood, untamed style, truly contemporary you wouldn’t be surprised to look down and notice he’s fielding in the field shirtless embracing nature.

It’s Ben Duckett still being allowed to talk in press conferences, out there looking like a happy little woodland creature formally attired, expressing thoughts like we’re challenging norms. Indeed, the vibe, initially, was uplifting.

3. Expansion Period

Building period. Cohesion maintained by rote learning of the cult’s slogans. These beliefs are often illogical as a loyalty check.

Does anyone else feel? The reaction, the outrage, the disappointment following the initial loss seems too strong, unwarranted. England batted badly in Perth, as history shows. They were savaged while bowling for a couple of hours as plans unraveled, carved around by the batsman playing aggressively but smarter, responsive to the situation, a man playing with a kind of light around him.

Currently, we see the criticism, the frustration, the view of the sport as a disgrace. The consensus is that losing isn’t enough, they should be dismantled, to be purged, destroyed, overwhelmed through sheer skill of the bowler’s action, the low-fi orthodoxies of the veteran, marking his wickets humbly as if receiving a nice new fishing rod. What will this do to them?

4. External Conflict

Issues emerge 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 upcoming game, we are at a delicious point of tension in the journey of this approach. England could quite easily win in the next Test through aggressive play. Probably, failure may follow. In case of defeat it seems we really might be entering the decline.

Before that happens, there are two things to consider about this. In the past, during the initial excitement, of optimism and energy, I wrote an article calling it a phenomenon. People were very angry, which was helpful since it’s clear the best way of proving lack of cult status is if supporters respond with anger objecting to the questioning of its truths.

Recent events in the last few days are equally notable. It seems that hating Bazball has now become the cult. We have a uniformly angry internet, critical analysts, shots of angry middle-aged followers overseas disappointed by the short match, similar to timeshare owners seeking justice.

On the other hand, we have the wider backdrop of Australia’s more nuanced ingrained annoyance with the aggressive tourists, out there saying, hey, that thing you love and have honed as one way of separating yourself from others, well, it’s all a bit of a gag ultimately.

Here lies the truth. It’s all cults. Bazball was a cult because cricket is a cult. In fact, the sport in England is closed, a circle, a garden party, a restricted environment with centuries of opaque and ritualistic cult history behind it. Historically, this was where influence is guarded. It’s the British pastime of England, the pioneering brand. And guess what, the nation has its own culture, a structure of hidden ranks, a royal family remains.

The players have been sealed up within this world from a young age. Seeking change, to build a better atmosphere, they are just repeating their upbringing, creating another a bubble, an exclusive group, but now with 15 cool guys and a coach promoting authenticity provided you conform.

Stay present. Confront risks. But no matter how fast and far you run, you’re always basically in the same place.

Considering this, it is perhaps the moment to have some sympathy for the movement, to recognize its positives, that are numerous. What does it represent? Encouraging expression. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with