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The Journey of a Movement tends to be defined by clear stages.

1. The Grand Vision

An inspiring figure or leaders propose a new and transcendent idea that promises a solution for alienated and vulnerable people.

Thus we find ourselves. They’re getting ready to confront the system down in Brisbane. Tensions are rising. Smoke is rising from the sidelines. An isolated player, vulnerable, nervous, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT written on his body as a statement, has stumbled into view and is removed in secrecy for a temporary assignment elsewhere.

Remember the early days, when optimism reigned? The days of Bazball 1.0, of Bazball without brains.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Cult leaders promise a new start, optimism ahead, love, success within a community united in belief in the philosophy.

What did it represent at first? Just men on a balcony enjoying success. Ink. Muscles. Determination. Confident masculinity. Admittedly, England’s players insist they don’t use the label, ironically since it’s not recognized, what did we see?

However, everyone understands its essence. It’s the batsman executing a stroke so outrageous it has to be pixelated. It’s the adrenaline of the captain at his peak, an expression conveying: pensive Nordic god, rugged appearance, untamed style, truly contemporary you wouldn’t be surprised to notice and see him playing on the ground shirtless holding a fish.

It’s the opener often seen addressing the media, resembling a joyful figure smartly dressed, saying stuff like we are actively deconstructing the orange. Indeed, the vibe, for a significant period, was only good energy.

3. The Growth Phase

Growth phase. Unity enforced via memorization of key phrases. These principles are often illogical as a loyalty check.

Does anyone else feel? The reaction, the anger, the sense of betrayal following the initial loss appears excessive, unwarranted. The performance was poor in Perth, as is typical there. They were dominated defensively for a couple of hours as plans unraveled, outplayed by Travis Head batting like England but better, adaptive to conditions, an athlete shining with brilliance.

Currently, we see the pile-on, the anger, the sense of English Test cricket as a kind of abomination. The opinion suggests that defeat must be total, they must be humbled, to be cleansed, obliterated, destroyed by the vengeful purity of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the low-fi orthodoxies of the bowler, marking achievements with a bashful smile like he’s just been given a rewarding prize. How will they respond?

4. Hate Bonding

Challenges surface due to setbacks. But the cult cannot admit errors. It begins to thrive on anger towards critics.

The fact remains, approaching from the second Test, we have now reached a delicious point of tension in the story of this movement. They might succeed in the next Test in a blur of adrenal disruption. Alternatively, they could lose just as quickly. Should they fail it seems we really might be entering the final stage.

Before that happens, several aspects worth saying regarding this. Previously, during the initial excitement, of passion and hope, a column appeared suggesting Bazball was a cult. There was outrage, which proved the point as it’s known a method to show that it’s not a closed group is should followers respond with anger objecting to the questioning of the philosophy.

The developments in the last few days are fascinating. Opposition to the style has turned into a movement. We have a uniformly angry internet, critical analysts, shots of angry middle-aged travelling fans disappointed by the short match, reminiscent of investors demanding recourse.

Conversely, there is the broader context of Australia’s more nuanced deep-seated frustration with the aggressive tourists, claiming, your cherished traditions and have developed as one way of separating yourself from others, it’s just a joke after all.

Here lies the truth. Everything is a cult. The approach was a phenomenon as the game has its own culture. In fact, English cricket has always been a cult, a group, an elite gathering, a restricted environment with centuries of opaque and ritualistic cult history defining it. It has long been where influence is guarded. It’s the British pastime of England, the early image-makers. And notably, the nation has its own culture, a structure of hidden ranks, a royal family remains.

The team have been enclosed within this world from a young age. Seeking change, to create a less brutal environment, they are just repeating their past, forming a new circle, a closed circle, but now with 15 cool guys and a leader promoting authenticity as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Focus on the moment. Embrace challenges. But no matter how fast and far you run, things stay similar.

Considering this, it is perhaps the moment to show understanding for Bazball, to recognize its positives, that are numerous. What is Bazball? Creating a sense of freedom. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with