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The Journey of a Cult tends to be marked by clear stages.

1. The Core Concept

An inspiring figure or figureheads introduce an innovative concept that promises a cure for alienated and vulnerable people.

Thus we find ourselves. Plans are in motion to confront the system down in Brisbane. The gunships are circling. Conflict emerges from the out-houses. One individual, exposed, shivering, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET smeared across his chest in chicken blood, has come staggering through the lines and is taken aside with discretion to a different team elsewhere.

Do you recall the beginning, when everything was fresh? The initial phase, of Bazball without brains.

2. Initial Adoration

Cult leaders offer a fresh beginning, hope for a future, camaraderie, success within a community with shared faith in the big idea.

How did it feel initially? A team united feeling good. Body art. Strength. Determination. Confident masculinity. Admittedly, The squad will claim they don’t use the label, ironically since it’s not recognized, what did we see?

Yet it’s clear what it is. It’s the batsman attempting a move so depraved it’s beyond belief. It’s the adrenaline of the leader at his peak, a demeanor suggesting: pensive Nordic god, rugged appearance, untamed style, truly contemporary you wouldn’t be surprised to notice and see him playing at mid-off stripped to the waist and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s the opener still being allowed to talk in press conferences, out there looking like a happy little woodland creature in a waistcoat, saying stuff like we are actively deconstructing the orange. Indeed, the energy, initially, was only good energy.

3. The Growth Phase

Growth phase. Unity enforced by rote learning of the cult’s slogans. These ideas are often illogical to prove commitment.

Is it just me? The criticism, the anger, the sense of betrayal after the first Ashes Test defeat feels overblown, too much. The batting collapsed on the field, as history shows. They were savaged in the field during a brief period as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, outplayed by Travis Head playing aggressively but smarter, adaptive to conditions, a man playing with brilliance.

And now we have this the criticism, the rage, the perception of the team as a failure. The consensus is that losing isn’t enough, they should be dismantled, to be cleansed, destroyed, defeated through sheer skill of the pace attack, the low-fi orthodoxies of the veteran, seen enjoying achievements humbly 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 hostility externally.

The fact remains, half a week out the upcoming game, we have now reached an intriguing moment in the lifespan of this approach. Victory is possible in Brisbane in a blur of adrenal disruption. Probably, failure may follow. Should they fail it feels like we could be witnessing the death cult phase.

Prior to that, a couple of points to consider regarding this. Previously, back in those heady early days, of optimism and energy, an piece was published suggesting Bazball was a cult. People were very angry, which demonstrated as it’s known a method to show that it’s not a closed group is if supporters respond with anger objecting to the questioning of the beliefs.

The developments recently is just as interesting. Opposition to the style has turned into a movement. We have a uniformly angry internet, critical analysts, images of frustrated supporters abroad disappointed by the short match, similar to investors demanding recourse.

On the other hand, we have the wider backdrop of Australia’s more nuanced deep-seated frustration towards the unconventional visitors, claiming, hey, that thing you love and have honed as part of your identity from the opposition, it’s just a joke after all.

This is the core issue. All movements are similar. Bazball was a cult as the game has its own culture. Or rather, the team has long been exclusive, a circle, a garden party, a restricted environment with centuries of ceremonial past supporting it. Historically, this was where influence is guarded. It’s the imperial sport of the nation, the original sports washers. And surprisingly, Britain is itself a cult, a system of unknown levels, a royal family remains.

The players have been isolated in this environment from a young age. Attempting to break free, to foster positivity, they are just repeating their own experience, forming a new circle, an exclusive group, but doing it this time with a modern squad and a coach encouraging individuality provided you conform.

Focus on the moment. Confront risks. Despite efforts, you remain stuck.

Considering this, it might be appropriate to offer compassion for Bazball, to recognize its positives, of which there are many. What is Bazball? Encouraging expression. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with