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The Life Cycle of a Movement can be characterized by distinct phases.

1. The Core Concept

A charismatic leader or coaches introduce an innovative concept offering a panacea for alienated and vulnerable people.

And so it goes. Plans are in motion to confront the system down in Brisbane. Pressure is mounting. Smoke is rising from within. A lone figure, vulnerable, anxious, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET displayed prominently as a statement, has come staggering from the field and is taken aside under a blanket towards an inconclusive loan stint in county cricket.

Do you ever miss the beginning, when everything was fresh? The initial phase, of pure instinct.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Cult leaders promise a reboot, optimism ahead, love, success among a group who all believe in the philosophy.

What was this thing at first? A team united enjoying success. Body art. Muscles. Jawlines. Elite male wellness energy. Admittedly, The team insist they don’t use the label, ironically as it’s denied, what did we see?

However, everyone understands what it is. It’s the batsman attempting a move so outrageous it’s beyond belief. It’s the adrenaline of the captain in ultimate mode, a look that says: thoughtful warrior, beard made of wood, untamed style, genuinely raw you wouldn’t be surprised to notice and see him playing in the field bare-chested embracing nature.

It’s Ben Duckett still being allowed speaking publicly, resembling a cheerful animal smartly dressed, saying stuff like we’re breaking down traditions. Indeed, the vibe, for quite a long time, was entirely positive.

3. Expansion Period

Building period. Unity enforced through repetition of mantras. These ideas are often illogical to prove commitment.

Is it just me? The criticism, the fury, the sense of betrayal after the first Ashes Test defeat feels overblown, overdone. England batted badly in Perth, as history shows. They were torn apart while bowling for a couple of hours as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, carved around by the opponent batting like England but better, adjusting to the pitch, an athlete shining with brilliance.

Currently, we see the criticism, the anger, the view of the sport as a disgrace. The consensus is that losing isn’t enough, they must be humbled, to be purged, flame-throwered, destroyed by the vengeful purity of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the conventional tactics of the veteran, marking successes humbly like he’s just been given a nice new fishing rod. How will they respond?

4. The Backlash Phase

Challenges surface because of mistakes. However, faults are ignored. It turns to anger towards critics.

The fact remains, half a week out from the second Test, we are at a critical juncture in the lifespan of this approach. They might succeed in Brisbane in a blur of adrenal disruption. More likely, they could lose just as quickly. And if they do lose it seems we could be witnessing the death cult phase.

Prior to that, there are two things worth saying regarding this. More than two years ago, at the start, of passion and hope, an piece was published suggesting Bazball was a cult. There was outrage, which was helpful as it’s known a method to show something definitely isn’t a cult is should followers react defensively denying scrutiny of the beliefs.

The developments lately are fascinating. It seems that hating Bazball has now become the cult. Online outrage is widespread, angry English pundits, images of frustrated followers overseas missing out on play, like a room full of people wanting fairness.

Meanwhile, we have the wider backdrop of the opponent’s mixed deep-seated frustration with the aggressive tourists, stating, your cherished traditions and have honed to distinguish yourselves culturally from us, it’s not serious after all.

This is the core issue. It’s all cults. The approach was a phenomenon as the game has its own culture. Or at least, the team has long been exclusive, a clique, a garden party, an insular community with a long history of opaque and ritualistic cult history supporting it. Historically, this was where influence is guarded. It’s the British pastime of the British, the original sports washers. And notably, the country is a phenomenon, a structure of hidden ranks, a monarchy still exists.

The players have been sealed up in this environment since childhood. Seeking change, to create a less brutal environment, they are just repeating their past, building another enclosure, an exclusive group, but now with a modern squad and a coach encouraging individuality provided you conform.

Live where your feet are. Run towards the danger. However much you change, things stay similar.

Considering this, now is the time to show understanding for the movement, to appreciate its good points, that are numerous. How to define it? Encouraging expression. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with