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

1. The Core Concept

A charismatic leader or figureheads introduce a revolutionary approach that promises a panacea for disconnected individuals.

And so it goes. Preparations are underway to storm the compound overseas. Pressure is mounting. Signs of trouble appear from within. One individual, exposed, shivering, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT displayed prominently as a statement, has emerged from the field and is taken aside with discretion to a different team in county cricket.

Remember the early days, when everything was fresh? The initial phase, of Bazball without brains.

2. Initial Adoration

Cult leaders offer a new start, hope for a future, love, success together united in belief in the method.

What did it represent initially? A team united feeling good. Ink. Strength. Jawlines. Elite male wellness energy. Of course, England’s players insist it’s not a real term, which is funny since it’s not recognized, what was that spectacle?

But we know the concept. It’s the batsman executing a stroke so outrageous it has to be pixelated. It’s the thrill of the leader at his peak, a look that says: pensive Nordic god, strong features, untamed style, truly contemporary you almost imagine to look down and notice he’s fielding in the field shirtless holding a fish.

It’s the batsman still being allowed to talk in press conferences, out there looking like a happy little woodland creature smartly dressed, saying stuff like we are actively deconstructing the orange. Indeed, the vibe, for a significant period, was entirely positive.

3. A New Life

Building period. Togetherness strengthened through repetition of the cult’s slogans. These beliefs can appear contradictory as a test of “true belief”.

Am I alone? The backlash, the outrage, the disappointment after the first Ashes Test defeat appears excessive, unwarranted. England batted badly during the match, as they often do in Australia. They were dominated while bowling during a brief period when tactics failed, manipulated by the batsman batting like England but better, responsive to the situation, a man playing with brilliance.

And now we have this the attacks, the rage, the perception of the team as a kind of abomination. The consensus is that losing isn’t enough, they must be humbled, to be cleansed, destroyed, destroyed via traditional methods of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the simple basics of Scott Boland, out there celebrating successes with a bashful smile as if receiving a nice new fishing rod. What will this do to them?

4. The Backlash Phase

Problems arise from failures in the plan. But the cult cannot admit errors. It turns to hatred of the outside world.

The fact remains, a few days before from the second Test, we have now reached a delicious point of tension in the story of this movement. Victory is possible in the next Test in a blur of adrenal disruption. More likely, failure may follow. And if they do lose it appears we may see the final stage.

Before that happens, a couple of points to note regarding this. More than two years ago, back in those heady early days, of optimism and energy, an piece was published calling it a phenomenon. People were very angry, which proved the point since it’s clear a method to show something definitely isn’t a cult is when its acolytes respond with anger rejecting criticism of its truths.

Recent events lately is just as interesting. Opposition to the style has now become the cult. Online outrage is widespread, critical analysts, images of frustrated followers overseas disappointed by the short match, reminiscent of investors demanding recourse.

Conversely, we have the wider backdrop of the opponent’s mixed ingrained annoyance towards the unconventional visitors, stating, hey, that thing you love and have fostered and nurtured as one way of separating yourself from the opposition, it’s not serious in the end old boy.

And this is the real point. It’s all cults. The style was a trend since the sport itself is insular. Or at least, the team has long been exclusive, a clique, a garden party, a closed world with a long history of ceremonial past defining it. This has always been where entry is limited. It’s the British pastime of England, the pioneering brand. And guess what, the nation has its own culture, a structure of hidden ranks, a royal family remains.

The team have been isolated in this system since childhood. Seeking change, to foster positivity, they are just repeating their own experience, forming a new circle, a limited community, however with a modern squad and a mentor encouraging individuality provided you conform.

Stay present. Run towards the danger. Despite efforts, you remain stuck.

With this mind, it might be appropriate to show understanding for Bazball, to appreciate its good points, of which there are many. What is Bazball? Encouraging expression. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with