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The Journey of a Cult can be defined by specific steps.

1. The Big Idea

A dominant personality or leaders present a new and transcendent idea offering a solution for alienated and vulnerable people.

Thus we find ourselves. They’re getting ready to confront the system down in Brisbane. Pressure is mounting. Conflict emerges from within. A lone figure, exposed, anxious, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT written on his body in chicken blood, has come staggering into view and is taken aside in secrecy towards an inconclusive loan stint in county cricket.

Do you ever miss the beginning, when the world was still young? The days of Bazball 1.0, of Bazball without brains.

2. Initial Adoration

Movement founders guarantee a new start, a brighter tomorrow, love, redemption among a group with shared faith in the big idea.

What was this thing at first? A team united feeling good. Ink. Muscles. Jawlines. Elite male wellness energy. Admittedly, The team insist it’s not a real term, amusingly as it’s denied, what exactly did I just watch?

However, everyone understands its essence. It’s the batsman playing a shot so depraved it’s beyond belief. It’s the excitement of Ben Stokes in ultimate mode, a look that says: thoughtful warrior, rugged appearance, untamed style, so authentically Modern Savage you wouldn’t be surprised to notice and find him positioned at mid-off shirtless embracing nature.

It’s Ben Duckett continuing to have permission to talk in press conferences, out there looking like a joyful figure formally attired, expressing thoughts like we’re breaking down traditions. Certainly, the vibe, initially, was entirely positive.

3. A New Life

Development stage. Togetherness strengthened through repetition of mantras. These principles can appear contradictory as a test of “true belief”.

Is it just me? The criticism, the anger, the feeling of letdown post-defeat seems too strong, overdone. The batting collapsed during the match, as is typical there. They were savaged while bowling in a short span as plans unraveled, carved around by Travis Head playing aggressively but smarter, adaptive to conditions, a performer excelling with brilliance.

And now we have this the attacks, the rage, the perception of the team as a failure. The feeling seems to be that England don’t just need to lose, they must be humbled, to be cleansed, obliterated, destroyed via traditional methods of the pace attack, the conventional tactics of Scott Boland, marking his wickets modestly as if receiving a rewarding prize. What impact will this have?

4. External Conflict

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

Ultimately, a few days before the next match, we have now reached a critical juncture in the lifespan of this thing. They might succeed overseas in a blur of adrenal disruption. More likely, defeat could come swiftly. Should they fail it seems we may see the death cult phase.

Prior to that, a couple of points to note on the topic. More than two years ago, during the initial excitement, of passion and hope, a column appeared calling it a phenomenon. Criticism followed, which demonstrated because everyone knows how to confirm that it’s not a closed group is when its acolytes react defensively rejecting criticism of the philosophy.

Recent events in the last few days are fascinating. Opposition to the style is now the trend. We have a uniformly angry internet, disappointed commentators, shots of angry middle-aged followers overseas disappointed by the short match, similar to people wanting fairness.

Conversely, there is the broader context of the host’s complex more culturally hard-wired exasperation towards the unconventional visitors, stating, hey, that thing you love and have fostered and nurtured to distinguish yourselves culturally from us, 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 because cricket is a cult. In fact, the team has long been exclusive, a clique, an elite gathering, a closed world with two hundred years of tradition and mystery defining it. Historically, this was where influence is guarded. It’s the British pastime of England, the early image-makers. And surprisingly, the nation has its own culture, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a royal family remains.

England’s cricketers have been isolated in this environment for years. Attempting to break free, to build a better atmosphere, they are just repeating their own experience, building another enclosure, a limited community, however with a modern squad and a coach promoting authenticity provided you conform.

Focus on the moment. Run towards the danger. However much you change, you’re always basically in the same place.

Reflecting on this, now is the time to show understanding for the movement, to acknowledge its merits, that are numerous. What does it represent? Creating a sense of freedom. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with