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The Evolution of a Phenomenon is often characterized by specific steps.

1. The Grand Vision

A charismatic leader or coaches present a revolutionary approach offering a cure for disconnected individuals.

And so it goes. Preparations are underway to confront the system in Australia. The gunships are circling. Conflict emerges from within. An isolated player, naked, nervous, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET written on his body as a statement, has come staggering through the lines and is removed with discretion for a temporary assignment elsewhere.

Do you ever miss the beginning, when the world was still young? The initial phase, of pure instinct.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Cult leaders guarantee a fresh beginning, a brighter tomorrow, love, success among a group united in belief in the philosophy.

What was this thing at first? Players celebrating enjoying success. Ink. Muscles. Focus. Elite male wellness energy. Oh sure, The squad often say it’s not a real term, amusingly as it’s denied, what did we see?

Yet it’s clear the concept. It’s Harry Brook executing a stroke so outrageous it defies description. It’s the excitement of the captain in his final form, a look that says: pensive Nordic god, beard made of wood, natural look, truly contemporary you half-expect to look down and find him positioned in the field shirtless and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s the batsman continuing to have permission addressing the media, out there looking like a happy little woodland creature in a waistcoat, saying stuff like we’re breaking down traditions. And yes, the energy, for a significant period, was only good energy.

3. A New Life

Development stage. Unity enforced through repetition of the cult’s slogans. These principles are often illogical as a test of “true belief”.

Does anyone else feel? The reaction, the anger, the sense of betrayal post-defeat feels overblown, overdone. England batted badly during the match, as they often do in Australia. They were dominated while bowling for a couple of hours as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, manipulated by the batsman playing aggressively but smarter, adaptive to conditions, a man playing with brilliance.

And now we have this the criticism, the anger, the perception of the team as a disgrace. The consensus is that England don’t just need to lose, they need to lose righteously, to be cleansed, obliterated, defeated via traditional methods of the bowler’s action, the simple basics of the veteran, marking successes with a bashful smile similar to getting a rewarding prize. How will they respond?

4. External Conflict

Issues emerge from failures in the plan. Yet, mistakes are denied. It starts to feed on hostility externally.

The fact remains, a few days before from the second Test, we have now reached a critical juncture in the journey of this thing. They might succeed overseas in a blur of adrenal disruption. More likely, defeat could come swiftly. And if they do lose it appears we could be witnessing the final stage.

Prior to that, there are two things worth saying regarding this. More than two years ago, at the start, of light and heat, a column appeared calling it a phenomenon. People were very angry, which was helpful since it’s clear a method to show something definitely isn’t a cult is should followers respond with anger denying scrutiny of the philosophy.

What has happened lately are equally notable. Opposition to the style is now the trend. We have a uniformly angry internet, critical analysts, images of frustrated followers overseas disappointed by the short match, reminiscent of investors demanding recourse.

Meanwhile, we have the wider backdrop of the opponent’s mixed deep-seated frustration with the aggressive tourists, out there saying, your cherished traditions and have developed as one way of separating yourself culturally from us, well, it’s all a bit of a gag ultimately.

Here lies the truth. It’s all cults. Bazball was a cult as the game has its own culture. Or at least, English cricket has always been a cult, a group, an elite gathering, a restricted environment with centuries of tradition and mystery defining it. Historically, this was where entry is limited. It’s the colonial game of the nation, the pioneering brand. And surprisingly, Britain is itself a cult, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a place that literally still has a king.

The team have been enclosed in this environment for years. Seeking change, to create a less brutal environment, they are just repeating their upbringing, creating another a bubble, a closed circle, but now with 15 cool guys and a coach promoting authenticity provided you conform.

Focus on the moment. Confront risks. Despite efforts, you remain stuck.

With this mind, it might be appropriate to show understanding for the approach, to appreciate its good points, that are numerous. How to define it? Promoting liberation. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with