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The Life Cycle of a Phenomenon is often defined by clear stages.

1. The Grand Vision

A charismatic leader or coaches present a revolutionary approach that promises a panacea for disconnected individuals.

So here we are. Preparations are underway to challenge the establishment in Australia. Tensions are rising. Conflict emerges from the out-houses. An isolated player, vulnerable, shivering, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT written on his body in chicken blood, has emerged from the field and is taken aside in secrecy towards an inconclusive loan stint elsewhere.

Do you ever miss the beginning, when everything was fresh? The era of early Bazball, of uninhibited aggression.

2. Initial Adoration

Cult leaders promise a fresh beginning, optimism ahead, love, success within a community who all believe in the philosophy.

What was this thing at first? Players celebrating enjoying success. Tattoos. Forearms. Focus. Confident masculinity. Oh sure, The team insist it’s not a real term, amusingly because if it doesn’t exist, what was that spectacle?

Yet it’s clear what it is. It’s the batsman executing a stroke so depraved it’s beyond belief. It’s the excitement of Ben Stokes in ultimate mode, an expression conveying: pensive Nordic god, strong features, untamed style, truly contemporary you wouldn’t be surprised to look down and see him playing in the field shirtless holding a fish.

It’s the opener often seen to talk in press conferences, appearing as a happy little woodland creature formally attired, uttering phrases such as we’re breaking down traditions. Certainly, the atmosphere, for quite a long time, was entirely positive.

3. A New Life

Development stage. Togetherness strengthened through repetition of key phrases. These beliefs may seem irrational to prove commitment.

Does anyone else feel? The reaction, the anger, the disappointment post-defeat appears excessive, unwarranted. England batted badly in Perth, as is typical there. They were torn apart while bowling during a brief period when tactics failed, outplayed by the opponent playing aggressively but smarter, adjusting to the pitch, an athlete shining with aura.

And now we have this the attacks, the rage, the perception of the team as a failure. The consensus is that defeat must be total, they should be dismantled, to be cleansed, obliterated, destroyed through sheer skill of the pace attack, the simple basics of the bowler, out there celebrating his wickets with a bashful smile as if receiving a pleasant gift. What impact will this have?

4. Hate Bonding

Problems arise because of mistakes. Yet, mistakes are denied. It starts to feed on hostility externally.

In truth, a few days before the upcoming game, we have now reached a delicious point of tension in the lifespan of this approach. Victory is possible overseas in a blur of adrenal disruption. Alternatively, defeat could come swiftly. In case of defeat it seems we may see the death cult phase.

Before that happens, a couple of points worth saying about this. Previously, at the start, of passion and hope, I wrote an article labeling it a movement. Criticism followed, which was helpful as it’s known how to confirm lack of cult status is when its acolytes respond with anger denying scrutiny of the philosophy.

Recent events lately are equally notable. It seems that hating Bazball is now the trend. We have a uniformly angry internet, critical analysts, images of frustrated supporters abroad missing out on play, like a room full of people wanting fairness.

Conversely, we have the wider backdrop of Australia’s more nuanced ingrained annoyance at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, claiming, the methods you value and have developed as part of your identity from others, it’s not serious after all.

And this is the real point. Everything is a cult. Bazball was a cult since the sport itself is insular. In fact, the team has long been exclusive, a clique, an elite gathering, a restricted environment with a long history of opaque and ritualistic cult history behind it. It has long been a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the imperial sport of the British, the early image-makers. And notably, the country is a phenomenon, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a place that literally still has a king.

The team have been enclosed in this environment from a young age. In trying to escape from it, to build a better atmosphere, they are mirroring their past, forming a new circle, an exclusive group, however with a modern squad and a coach who wants you to be yourself provided you conform.

Focus on the moment. Embrace challenges. But no matter how fast and far you run, things stay similar.

With this mind, now is the time to offer compassion for Bazball, to appreciate its good points, of which there are many. What does it represent? Promoting liberation. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with