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The Journey of a Phenomenon can be characterized by distinct phases.

1. The Big Idea

A charismatic leader or leaders present an innovative concept pledging a solution for disconnected individuals.

So here we are. Preparations are underway to storm the compound overseas. The gunships are circling. Conflict emerges from the out-houses. A lone figure, exposed, shivering, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT smeared across his chest in chicken blood, has stumbled through the lines and is removed under a blanket to a different team elsewhere.

Do you recall the start, when the world was still young? The initial phase, of Bazball without brains.

2. Initial Adoration

Movement founders promise a new start, a brighter tomorrow, support, salvation within a community who all believe in the big idea.

How did it feel initially? A team united enjoying success. Tattoos. Forearms. Jawlines. Elite male wellness energy. Oh sure, The squad will claim Bazball doesn’t actually exist, amusingly because if it doesn’t exist, what was that spectacle?

However, everyone understands its essence. It’s the player attempting a move so unconventional it’s beyond belief. It’s the thrill of the leader in ultimate mode, a demeanor suggesting: pensive Nordic god, rugged appearance, untamed style, genuinely raw you half-expect to glance over and notice he’s fielding in the field bare-chested and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s Ben Duckett still being allowed addressing the media, out there looking like a cheerful animal formally attired, uttering phrases such as we’re breaking down traditions. Certainly, the vibe, for quite a long time, was entirely positive.

3. A New Life

Building period. Cohesion maintained by rote learning of key phrases. These principles may seem irrational as a test of “true belief”.

Does anyone else feel? The backlash, the fury, the disappointment post-defeat appears excessive, too much. The batting collapsed on the field, as history shows. They were dominated defensively for a couple of hours when tactics failed, outplayed by the batsman imitating their style effectively, adjusting to the pitch, a man playing with aura.

Now there is the criticism, the rage, the sense of English Test cricket as a disgrace. The feeling seems to be that losing isn’t enough, they should be dismantled, to be cleansed, obliterated, overwhelmed through sheer skill of the pace attack, the simple basics of Scott Boland, out there celebrating successes humbly similar to getting a pleasant gift. What will this do to them?

4. Hate Bonding

Challenges surface due to setbacks. Yet, mistakes are denied. It starts to feed on hostility externally.

Ultimately, half a week out the upcoming game, we are at a delicious point of tension in the lifespan of this thing. England could quite easily win in the next Test through aggressive play. Probably, they could lose just as quickly. Should they fail it appears we really might be entering the death cult phase.

Prior to that, several aspects to consider on the topic. Previously, during the initial excitement, of passion and hope, I wrote an article calling it a phenomenon. There was outrage, which proved the point since it’s clear how to confirm lack of cult status is if supporters react defensively denying scrutiny of its truths.

Recent events in the last few days are equally notable. Criticism of the approach is now the trend. Online outrage is widespread, disappointed commentators, pictures of upset supporters abroad missing out on play, like a room full of investors demanding recourse.

Conversely, there is the broader context of the opponent’s mixed ingrained annoyance with the aggressive tourists, out there saying, hey, that thing you love and have honed as one way of separating yourself from the opposition, it’s just a joke after all.

And this is the real point. All movements are similar. Bazball was a cult because cricket is a cult. Or rather, the sport in England is closed, a group, an elite gathering, a closed world with a long history of ceremonial past supporting it. It has long been where entry is limited. It’s the British pastime of England, the original sports washers. And notably, Britain is itself a cult, a system of unknown levels, a royal family remains.

The players have been enclosed in this environment from a young age. In trying to escape from it, to create a less brutal environment, they are mirroring their own experience, building another enclosure, an exclusive group, however with 15 cool guys and a leader who wants you to be yourself provided you conform.

Live where your feet are. Confront risks. However much you change, you’re always basically in the same place.

Considering this, it is perhaps the moment to show understanding for the movement, to recognize its positives, of which there are many. What does it represent? Encouraging expression. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with