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

1. The Core Concept

A charismatic leader or leaders propose an innovative concept that promises a solution for disconnected individuals.

Thus we find ourselves. Plans are in motion to challenge the establishment in Australia. Tensions are rising. Smoke is rising from within. A lone figure, vulnerable, shivering, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET smeared across his chest in chicken blood, has come staggering from the field and is being led away in secrecy for a temporary assignment in county cricket.

Remember the start, when the world was still young? The era of early Bazball, of pure instinct.

2. Love-Bombing

Movement founders offer a fresh beginning, a brighter tomorrow, camaraderie, salvation within a community who all believe in the big idea.

What was this thing at first? Just men on a balcony basking in glory. Body art. Forearms. Determination. Elite male wellness energy. Of course, The squad will claim it’s not a real term, which is funny because if it doesn’t exist, what did we see?

But we know the concept. It’s the player executing a stroke so unconventional it defies description. It’s the adrenaline of the leader at his peak, a look that says: focused titan, strong features, hair woven from beaver hide, so authentically Modern Savage you wouldn’t be surprised to glance over and find him positioned on the ground stripped to the waist and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s Ben Duckett still being allowed to talk in press conferences, out there looking like a joyful figure formally attired, uttering phrases such as we’re breaking down traditions. And yes, the atmosphere, for a significant period, was entirely positive.

3. A New Life

Growth phase. Togetherness strengthened by rote learning of mantras. These beliefs may seem irrational to prove commitment.

Is it just me? The backlash, the outrage, the sense of betrayal after the first Ashes Test defeat seems too strong, too much. The performance was poor during the match, as is typical there. They were torn apart defensively in a short span as plans unraveled, manipulated by Travis Head batting like England but better, adjusting to the pitch, a performer excelling with brilliance.

Currently, we see the pile-on, the anger, the sense of English Test cricket as a disgrace. The consensus is that defeat must be total, they must be humbled, to be purged, obliterated, overwhelmed through sheer skill of the pace attack, the simple basics of the veteran, seen enjoying achievements modestly like he’s just been given a pleasant gift. How will they respond?

4. Hate Bonding

Issues emerge from failures in the plan. However, faults are ignored. It starts to feed on anger towards critics.

In truth, approaching from the second Test, we are at a delicious point of tension in the lifespan of this thing. Victory is possible overseas in a blur of adrenal disruption. Probably, they could lose just as quickly. Should they fail it appears we really might be entering the final stage.

Before that happens, there are two things to consider regarding this. In the past, during the initial excitement, of passion and hope, a column appeared labeling it a movement. There was outrage, which demonstrated as it’s known the best way of proving that it’s not a closed group is when its acolytes send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages objecting to the questioning of the beliefs.

Recent events lately are fascinating. It seems that hating Bazball is now the trend. Social media is furious, disappointed commentators, images of frustrated followers overseas missing out on play, reminiscent of investors demanding recourse.

Conversely, we have the wider backdrop of Australia’s more nuanced deep-seated frustration towards the unconventional visitors, out there saying, the methods you value and have developed as part of your identity culturally from us, well, it’s all a bit of a gag in the end old boy.

This is the core issue. It’s all cults. Bazball was a cult as the game has its own culture. Or rather, English cricket has always been a cult, a circle, an elite gathering, a restricted environment with a long history of tradition and mystery supporting it. It has long been where influence is guarded. It’s the British pastime of the British, the early image-makers. And surprisingly, Britain is itself a cult, a structure of hidden ranks, a monarchy still exists.

England’s cricketers have been sealed up in this environment from a young age. Attempting to break free, to build a better atmosphere, they are simply replicating their own experience, forming a new circle, an exclusive group, but now with a new team and a leader promoting authenticity provided you conform.

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

Considering this, it is perhaps the moment to have some sympathy for the movement, to appreciate its good points, of which there are many. How to define it? Encouraging expression. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with