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The Evolution of a Cult tends to be defined by specific steps.

1. The Core Concept

A dominant personality or coaches introduce a revolutionary approach offering a cure for alienated and vulnerable people.

And so it goes. Plans are in motion to challenge the establishment overseas. Pressure is mounting. Conflict emerges from within. An isolated player, exposed, shivering, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET smeared across his chest in chicken blood, has stumbled into view and is being led away under a blanket towards an inconclusive loan stint in county cricket.

Remember the early days, when optimism reigned? The initial phase, of pure instinct.

2. Initial Adoration

Team architects promise a fresh beginning, a brighter tomorrow, love, salvation together with shared faith in the big idea.

What was this thing at first? A team united enjoying success. Tattoos. Strength. Determination. Confident masculinity. Of course, The squad insist Bazball doesn’t actually exist, which is funny as it’s denied, what did we see?

But we know the concept. It’s Harry Brook attempting a move so unconventional it’s beyond belief. It’s the adrenaline of Ben Stokes at his peak, a look that says: focused titan, beard made of wood, hair woven from beaver hide, so authentically Modern Savage you wouldn’t be surprised to glance over and find him positioned on the ground shirtless holding a fish.

It’s Ben Duckett often seen speaking publicly, resembling a cheerful animal smartly dressed, expressing thoughts like we are actively deconstructing the orange. Indeed, the vibe, for a significant period, was entirely positive.

3. A New Life

Growth phase. Unity enforced through repetition of key phrases. These beliefs are often illogical to prove commitment.

Does anyone else feel? The reaction, the anger, the disappointment post-defeat feels overblown, unwarranted. The batting collapsed in Perth, as history shows. They were savaged while bowling during a brief period when tactics failed, manipulated by the opponent imitating their style effectively, adjusting to the pitch, an athlete shining with aura.

Currently, we see the criticism, the frustration, the perception of the team as a disgrace. The feeling seems to be that losing isn’t enough, they need to lose righteously, to be purged, flame-throwered, destroyed by the vengeful purity of the pace attack, the low-fi orthodoxies of Scott Boland, out there celebrating successes humbly similar to getting a pleasant gift. What will this do to them?

4. External Conflict

Issues emerge from failures in the plan. However, faults are ignored. It starts to feed on anger towards critics.

The fact remains, a few days before the next match, we are at a critical juncture in the journey of this movement. Victory is possible in Brisbane in a blur of adrenal disruption. More likely, failure may follow. And if they do lose it feels like we could be witnessing the decline.

Before that happens, there are two things to consider regarding this. More than two years ago, at the start, of optimism and energy, I wrote an article labeling it a movement. Criticism followed, which proved the point since it’s clear a method to show something definitely isn’t a cult is should followers send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages objecting to the questioning of the philosophy.

What has happened in the last few days are equally notable. It seems that hating Bazball has now become the cult. Social media is furious, angry English pundits, images of frustrated supporters abroad disappointed by the short match, similar to people wanting fairness.

Conversely, there is the broader context of the host’s complex deep-seated frustration towards the unconventional visitors, claiming, your cherished traditions and have fostered and nurtured as part of your identity from others, well, it’s all a bit of a gag in the end old boy.

This is the core issue. 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, an elite gathering, an insular community with a long history of opaque and ritualistic cult history supporting it. It has long been a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the British pastime of England, the pioneering brand. And notably, Britain is itself a cult, a structure of hidden ranks, a royal family remains.

The team have been enclosed in this system for years. Seeking change, to build a better atmosphere, they are mirroring their own experience, building another enclosure, an exclusive group, but now with a new team and a leader encouraging individuality provided you conform.

Stay present. Confront risks. Despite efforts, things stay similar.

Considering this, now is the time to offer compassion for Bazball, to appreciate its good points, that are numerous. How to define it? Creating a sense of freedom. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with