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The Journey of a Phenomenon tends to be defined by specific steps.

1. The Grand Vision

A dominant personality or coaches introduce a new and transcendent idea offering a panacea for disconnected individuals.

So here we are. Preparations are underway to storm the compound in Australia. Pressure is mounting. Smoke is rising from within. An isolated player, naked, shivering, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT written on his body as a statement, has emerged from the field and is taken aside under a blanket towards an inconclusive loan stint in county cricket.

Do you recall the start, when optimism reigned? The days of Bazball 1.0, of uninhibited aggression.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Cult leaders guarantee a reboot, a brighter tomorrow, support, redemption within a community with shared faith in the philosophy.

How did it feel back then? A team united feeling good. Tattoos. Strength. Focus. Confident masculinity. Oh sure, The squad often say it’s not a real term, amusingly since it’s not recognized, what exactly did I just watch?

Yet it’s clear the concept. It’s Harry Brook playing a shot so outrageous it has to be pixelated. It’s the excitement of the captain in his final form, a look that says: focused titan, beard made of wood, natural look, truly contemporary you half-expect to glance over and find him positioned in the field bare-chested embracing nature.

It’s the opener continuing to have permission to talk in press conferences, resembling a happy little woodland creature smartly dressed, expressing thoughts like we are actively deconstructing the orange. And yes, the atmosphere, initially, was uplifting.

3. Expansion Period

Growth phase. Cohesion maintained by rote learning of key phrases. These ideas can appear contradictory as a loyalty check.

Am I alone? The reaction, the fury, the sense of betrayal after the first Ashes Test defeat appears excessive, too much. England batted badly on the field, as is typical there. They were torn apart in the field during a brief period as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, manipulated by Travis Head playing aggressively but smarter, adjusting to the pitch, an athlete shining with brilliance.

And now we have this the pile-on, the frustration, the perception of the team as a disgrace. The consensus is that losing isn’t enough, they should be dismantled, to be scoured, destroyed, overwhelmed by the vengeful purity of the bowler’s action, the low-fi orthodoxies of the bowler, marking achievements with a bashful smile like he’s just been given a pleasant gift. What impact will this have?

4. External Conflict

Problems arise because of mistakes. However, faults are ignored. It starts to feed on anger towards critics.

The fact remains, approaching the next match, we’ve entered a delicious point of tension in the lifespan of this movement. They might succeed in Brisbane in a blur of adrenal disruption. Probably, defeat could come swiftly. In case of defeat it appears we may see the decline.

Ahead of this, several aspects to consider about this. Previously, back in those heady early days, of light and heat, I wrote an article calling it a phenomenon. There was outrage, which was helpful because everyone knows the best way of proving lack of cult status is if supporters send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages rejecting criticism of its truths.

Recent events in the last few days is just as interesting. It seems that hating Bazball has turned into a movement. Social media is furious, angry English pundits, images of frustrated followers overseas disappointed by the short match, like a room full of investors demanding recourse.

Meanwhile, we have the wider backdrop of the opponent’s mixed ingrained annoyance towards the unconventional visitors, out there saying, hey, that thing you love and have fostered and nurtured as one way of separating yourself from the opposition, it’s not serious ultimately.

This is the core issue. It’s all cults. The style was a trend because cricket is a cult. In fact, the sport in England is closed, a circle, a private event, a closed world with centuries of tradition and mystery behind it. It has long been where entry is limited. It’s the imperial sport of England, the early image-makers. And surprisingly, the country is a phenomenon, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a royal family remains.

The players have been enclosed within this world from a young age. Attempting to break free, to create a less brutal environment, they are just repeating their past, creating another a bubble, a limited community, but doing it this time with 15 cool guys and a coach promoting authenticity 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 the movement, to acknowledge its merits, that are numerous. How to define it? Creating a sense of freedom. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with