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The Life Cycle of a Phenomenon can be defined by clear stages.

1. The Big Idea

An inspiring figure or leaders present a revolutionary approach offering a solution for disconnected individuals.

So here we are. They’re getting ready to storm the compound overseas. Tensions are rising. Smoke is rising from the out-houses. A lone figure, exposed, nervous, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT written on his body as a symbol, has stumbled from the field and is taken aside with discretion for a temporary assignment elsewhere.

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

2. Initial Adoration

Cult leaders offer a new start, optimism ahead, support, success within a community who all believe in the big idea.

How did it feel initially? Just men on a balcony feeling good. Tattoos. Muscles. Determination. Elite male wellness energy. Admittedly, The squad insist it’s not a real term, which is funny as it’s denied, what exactly did I just watch?

Yet it’s clear the concept. It’s the batsman executing a stroke so unconventional it defies description. It’s the thrill of the captain in his final form, a look that says: focused titan, beard made of wood, natural look, truly contemporary you wouldn’t be surprised to glance over and see him playing on the ground shirtless embracing nature.

It’s the batsman continuing to have permission addressing the media, out there looking like a joyful figure smartly dressed, saying stuff like we’re breaking down traditions. Certainly, the vibe, for quite a long time, was only good energy.

3. Expansion Period

Development stage. Togetherness strengthened through repetition of key phrases. These ideas are often illogical as a test of “true belief”.

Am I alone? The criticism, the outrage, the sense of betrayal after the first Ashes Test defeat feels overblown, too much. The batting collapsed in Perth, as they often do in Australia. They were dominated defensively during a brief period as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, carved around by Travis Head playing aggressively but smarter, adjusting to the pitch, a performer excelling with a kind of light around him.

Currently, we see the attacks, the rage, the sense of English Test cricket as a disgrace. The feeling seems to be that defeat must be total, they need to lose righteously, to be purged, flame-throwered, overwhelmed through sheer skill of the pace attack, the conventional tactics of the bowler, out there celebrating successes humbly as if receiving a pleasant gift. What impact will this have?

4. The Backlash Phase

Problems arise from failures in the plan. Yet, mistakes are denied. It starts to feed on hatred of the outside world.

Ultimately, half a week out from the second Test, we’ve entered a delicious point of tension in the lifespan of this thing. They might succeed overseas through aggressive play. Probably, failure may follow. Should they fail it feels like we really might be entering the death cult phase.

Prior to that, several aspects to consider about this. Previously, at the start, of passion and hope, a column appeared suggesting Bazball was a cult. Criticism followed, which demonstrated since it’s clear how to confirm lack of cult status is when its acolytes respond with anger denying scrutiny of the philosophy.

Recent events recently is just as interesting. It seems that hating Bazball has turned into a movement. We have a uniformly angry internet, angry English pundits, pictures of upset travelling fans disappointed by the short match, like a room full of investors demanding recourse.

Meanwhile, we have the wider backdrop of Australia’s more nuanced more culturally hard-wired exasperation with the aggressive tourists, claiming, hey, that thing you love and have developed to distinguish yourselves from others, it’s just a joke ultimately.

This is the core issue. Everything is a cult. The style was a trend because cricket is a cult. In fact, the sport in England is closed, a group, an elite gathering, a closed world with a long history of opaque and ritualistic cult history supporting it. It has long been a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the colonial game of the nation, the original sports washers. And notably, Britain is itself a cult, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a place that literally still has a king.

England’s cricketers have been sealed up in this environment since childhood. Seeking change, to create a less brutal environment, they are just repeating their upbringing, building another enclosure, an exclusive group, but now with a modern squad and a coach encouraging individuality if you fit the mold.

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

Reflecting on this, it is perhaps the moment to have some sympathy for the movement, to recognize its positives, that are numerous. What is Bazball? Encouraging expression. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with