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The Life Cycle of a Cult can be characterized by specific steps.

1. The Big Idea

An inspiring figure or figureheads propose an innovative concept that promises a cure for disconnected individuals.

And so it goes. Plans are in motion to challenge the establishment in Australia. Tensions are rising. Smoke is rising from within. A lone figure, exposed, anxious, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT smeared across his chest as a statement, has come staggering through the lines and is removed under a blanket towards an inconclusive loan stint at Derbyshire.

Do you recall the early days, when the world was still young? The days of Bazball 1.0, of uninhibited aggression.

2. Love-Bombing

Cult leaders offer a new start, hope for a future, love, salvation within a community who all believe in the method.

What did it represent at first? Just men on a balcony feeling good. Ink. Strength. Focus. Confident masculinity. Of course, England’s players often say they don’t use the label, amusingly because if it doesn’t exist, what exactly did I just watch?

However, everyone understands its essence. It’s the player playing a shot so outrageous it’s beyond belief. It’s the thrill of Ben Stokes at his peak, a look that says: focused titan, rugged appearance, natural look, genuinely raw you wouldn’t be surprised to glance over and find him positioned in the field bare-chested embracing nature.

It’s Ben Duckett still being allowed to talk in press conferences, appearing as a happy little woodland creature formally attired, uttering phrases such as we are actively deconstructing the orange. Certainly, the atmosphere, for quite a long time, was uplifting.

3. Expansion Period

Building period. Togetherness strengthened through repetition of mantras. These ideas may seem irrational as a test of “true belief”.

Is it just me? The criticism, the outrage, the disappointment following the initial loss feels overblown, overdone. England batted badly during the match, as they often do in Australia. They were torn apart defensively during a brief period as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, carved around by Travis Head playing aggressively but smarter, responsive to the situation, a man playing with a kind of light around him.

Now there is the pile-on, the anger, the perception of the team as a kind of abomination. The opinion suggests that defeat must be total, they must be humbled, to be scoured, flame-throwered, overwhelmed by the vengeful purity of the pace attack, the simple basics of the bowler, out there celebrating achievements humbly like he’s just been given a pleasant gift. What will this do to them?

4. External Conflict

Problems arise because of mistakes. However, faults are ignored. It turns to hostility externally.

In truth, approaching the upcoming game, we have now reached a delicious point of tension in the story of this movement. Victory is possible in the next Test through aggressive play. Probably, defeat could come swiftly. And if they do lose it seems we really might be entering the decline.

Prior to that, several aspects to note about this. More than two years ago, during the initial excitement, of light and heat, an piece was published labeling it a movement. People were very angry, which demonstrated because everyone knows the best way of proving that it’s not a closed group is should followers send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages objecting to the questioning of its truths.

Recent events lately are fascinating. It seems that hating Bazball is now the trend. Online outrage is widespread, angry English pundits, images of frustrated followers overseas cheated out of three days of cricket, like a room full of investors demanding recourse.

On the other hand, there is the broader context of the opponent’s mixed deep-seated frustration towards the unconventional visitors, claiming, hey, that thing you love and have fostered and nurtured as one way of separating yourself from the opposition, well, it’s all a bit of a gag after all.

Here lies the truth. It’s all cults. The style was a trend because cricket is a cult. Or rather, the sport in England is closed, a circle, a private event, an insular community with a long history of opaque and ritualistic cult history defining it. This has always been where influence is guarded. It’s the British pastime of the British, the pioneering brand. And surprisingly, the country is a phenomenon, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a monarchy still exists.

The team have been sealed up in this environment from a young age. Seeking change, to create a less brutal environment, they are just repeating their upbringing, forming a new circle, a limited community, however with a modern squad and a coach promoting authenticity if you fit the mold.

Focus on the moment. Embrace challenges. However much you change, you’re always basically in the same place.

Reflecting on this, it is perhaps the moment to show understanding for the approach, to recognize its positives, of which there are many. How to define it? Promoting liberation. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with