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The Journey of a Phenomenon tends to be marked by distinct phases.

1. The Core Concept

A charismatic leader or leaders introduce an innovative concept offering a cure for disconnected individuals.

So here we are. Plans are in motion to challenge the establishment in Australia. The gunships are circling. Signs of trouble appear from the sidelines. One individual, exposed, anxious, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT displayed prominently as a statement, has emerged through the lines and is taken aside under a blanket for a temporary assignment elsewhere.

Do you ever miss the start, when everything was fresh? The era of early Bazball, of Bazball without brains.

2. Initial Adoration

Cult leaders promise a reboot, hope for a future, support, success among a group united in belief in the philosophy.

How did it feel at first? A team united feeling good. Body art. Forearms. Jawlines. Elite male wellness energy. Oh sure, The team will claim Bazball doesn’t actually exist, amusingly since it’s not recognized, what did we see?

However, everyone understands the concept. It’s the batsman executing a stroke so unconventional it has to be pixelated. It’s the adrenaline of the captain in ultimate mode, a look that says: focused titan, rugged appearance, natural look, genuinely raw you almost imagine to look down and notice he’s fielding at mid-off shirtless and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s the opener continuing to have permission addressing the media, appearing as a cheerful animal in a waistcoat, expressing thoughts like we’re breaking down traditions. Certainly, the atmosphere, for a significant period, was only good energy.

3. The Growth Phase

Development stage. Unity enforced through repetition of key phrases. These beliefs may seem irrational as a test of “true belief”.

Am I alone? The reaction, the anger, the sense of betrayal post-defeat appears excessive, too much. The batting collapsed on the field, as is typical there. They were savaged while bowling in a short span as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, outplayed by the batsman batting like England but better, adaptive to conditions, a performer excelling with aura.

And now we have this the criticism, the rage, the view of the sport as a disgrace. The feeling seems to be that defeat must be total, they need to lose righteously, to be scoured, flame-throwered, overwhelmed by the vengeful purity of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the low-fi orthodoxies of the bowler, seen enjoying his wickets modestly like he’s just been given a rewarding prize. What impact will this have?

4. Hate Bonding

Problems arise because of mistakes. But the cult cannot admit errors. It turns to hatred of the outside world.

In truth, approaching the upcoming game, we’ve entered a delicious point of tension in the journey of this thing. England could quite easily win overseas through aggressive play. Alternatively, they could lose just as quickly. Should they fail it seems we may see the final stage.

Ahead of this, a couple of points worth saying on the topic. Previously, back in those heady early days, of light and heat, a column appeared labeling it a movement. People were very angry, which was helpful since it’s clear the best way of proving lack of cult status is if supporters send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages rejecting criticism of its truths.

What has happened lately are equally notable. It seems that hating Bazball has now become the cult. We have a uniformly angry internet, critical analysts, shots of angry middle-aged supporters abroad cheated out of three days of cricket, similar to investors demanding recourse.

On the other hand, there is the broader context of the opponent’s mixed more culturally hard-wired exasperation with the aggressive tourists, out there saying, your cherished traditions and have honed to distinguish yourselves from the opposition, well, it’s all a bit of a gag ultimately.

And this is the real point. Everything is a cult. The approach was a phenomenon as the game has its own culture. In fact, the team has long been exclusive, a circle, a private event, an insular community with two hundred years of tradition and mystery supporting it. This has always been where influence is guarded. It’s the imperial sport of the British, the early image-makers. And surprisingly, the nation has its own culture, a system of unknown levels, a place that literally still has a king.

The team have been sealed up in this system since childhood. In trying to escape from it, to foster positivity, they are simply replicating their past, building another enclosure, a closed circle, but doing it this time with a modern squad and a mentor promoting authenticity if you fit the mold.

Focus on the moment. Run towards the danger. But no matter how fast and far you run, you remain stuck.

Reflecting on this, now is the time to have some sympathy for Bazball, to recognize its positives, of which there are many. What is Bazball? Creating a sense of freedom. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with