🔗 Share this article

The Life Cycle of a Cult can be marked by distinct phases.

1. The Core Concept

A charismatic leader or figureheads introduce a revolutionary approach that promises a solution for alienated and vulnerable people.

And so it goes. Plans are in motion to storm the compound down in Brisbane. Pressure is mounting. Signs of trouble appear from the sidelines. One individual, exposed, nervous, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT smeared across his chest as a statement, has stumbled into view and is removed with discretion for a temporary assignment elsewhere.

Do you ever miss the beginning, when optimism reigned? The initial phase, of uninhibited aggression.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Movement founders guarantee a new start, a brighter tomorrow, love, salvation together with shared faith in the philosophy.

What was this thing initially? Just men on a balcony basking in glory. Ink. Forearms. Focus. Peak performance vibes. Oh sure, The squad insist they don’t use the label, ironically since it’s not recognized, what exactly did I just watch?

Yet it’s clear its essence. It’s the batsman executing a stroke so depraved it has to be pixelated. It’s the adrenaline of the captain at his peak, a demeanor suggesting: thoughtful warrior, rugged appearance, natural look, truly contemporary you wouldn’t be surprised to glance over and see him playing in the field shirtless holding a fish.

It’s the batsman continuing to have permission to talk in press conferences, appearing as a cheerful animal formally attired, uttering phrases such as we are actively deconstructing the orange. And yes, the energy, for quite a long time, was uplifting.

3. The Growth Phase

Growth phase. Togetherness strengthened by rote learning of key phrases. These ideas are often illogical as a test of “true belief”.

Is it just me? The backlash, the outrage, the disappointment after the first Ashes Test defeat seems too strong, too much. England batted badly during the match, as history shows. They were savaged in the field during a brief period as plans unraveled, carved around by Travis Head playing aggressively but smarter, responsive to the situation, a man playing with aura.

Now there is the attacks, the anger, the perception of the team as a disgrace. The opinion suggests that losing isn’t enough, they need to lose righteously, to be scoured, flame-throwered, overwhelmed via traditional methods of the bowler’s action, the low-fi orthodoxies of the veteran, out there celebrating successes with a bashful smile similar to getting a rewarding prize. How will they respond?

4. The Backlash Phase

Issues emerge due to setbacks. However, faults are ignored. It starts to feed on hostility externally.

The fact remains, approaching from the second Test, we are at a delicious point of tension in the journey of this approach. They might succeed in Brisbane with bold tactics. Alternatively, defeat could come swiftly. In case of defeat it appears we really might be entering the death cult phase.

Ahead of this, a couple of points to consider about this. Previously, back in those heady early days, of optimism and energy, a column appeared suggesting Bazball was a cult. People were very angry, which was helpful because everyone knows a method to show lack of cult status is if supporters react defensively rejecting criticism of the beliefs.

Recent events recently are fascinating. Criticism of the approach has now become the cult. Social media is furious, angry English pundits, shots of angry middle-aged supporters abroad disappointed by the short match, similar to investors demanding recourse.

Conversely, we have the wider backdrop of the opponent’s mixed more culturally hard-wired exasperation with the aggressive tourists, stating, hey, that thing you love and have fostered and nurtured as part of your identity culturally from us, well, it’s all a bit of a gag after all.

Here lies the truth. It’s all cults. The approach was a phenomenon because cricket is a cult. In fact, the sport in England is closed, a group, an elite gathering, a restricted environment with two hundred years of ceremonial past behind it. This has always been where entry is limited. It’s the colonial game of the nation, the original sports washers. And guess what, Britain is itself a cult, a structure of hidden ranks, a royal family remains.

The team have been sealed up within this world for years. Attempting to break free, to create a less brutal environment, they are simply replicating their upbringing, creating another a bubble, an exclusive group, but doing it this time with 15 cool guys and a mentor who wants you to be yourself provided you conform.

Live where your feet are. Embrace challenges. However much you change, things stay similar.

With this mind, now is the time to have some sympathy for Bazball, to appreciate its good points, which are significant. How to define it? Promoting liberation. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with