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The Journey of a Cult tends to be marked by specific steps.

1. The Big Idea

A dominant personality or figureheads propose a revolutionary approach that promises a solution for struggling players.

Thus we find ourselves. Preparations are underway to storm the compound down in Brisbane. The gunships are circling. Smoke is rising from the sidelines. A lone figure, exposed, nervous, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET displayed prominently in chicken blood, has emerged from the field and is being led away in secrecy towards an inconclusive loan stint elsewhere.

Do you recall the beginning, when optimism reigned? The initial phase, of uninhibited aggression.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Team architects offer a reboot, a brighter tomorrow, support, redemption together with shared faith in the big idea.

What was this thing back then? Just men on a balcony feeling good. Tattoos. Forearms. Focus. Peak performance vibes. Of course, England’s players insist it’s not a real term, ironically because if it doesn’t exist, what exactly did I just watch?

Yet it’s clear the concept. It’s Harry Brook attempting a move so depraved it defies description. It’s the thrill of the captain at his peak, a look that says: thoughtful warrior, strong features, untamed style, genuinely raw you half-expect to look down and notice he’s fielding on the ground stripped to the waist embracing nature.

It’s the opener continuing to have permission speaking publicly, appearing as a joyful figure in a waistcoat, saying stuff like we’re challenging norms. Indeed, the atmosphere, initially, was entirely positive.

3. A New Life

Building period. Cohesion maintained by rote learning of key phrases. These principles can appear contradictory as a loyalty check.

Is it just me? The criticism, the anger, the disappointment following the initial loss feels overblown, too much. The batting collapsed during the match, as history shows. They were dominated defensively during a brief period when tactics failed, carved around by Travis Head imitating their style effectively, adaptive to conditions, an athlete shining with brilliance.

Now there is the pile-on, the rage, the sense of English Test cricket as a disgrace. The feeling seems to be that defeat must be total, they must be humbled, to be cleansed, flame-throwered, destroyed by the vengeful purity of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the simple basics of the veteran, seen enjoying successes humbly similar to getting a nice new fishing rod. What impact will this have?

4. External Conflict

Challenges surface from failures in the plan. However, faults are ignored. It begins to thrive on anger towards critics.

The fact remains, half a week out from the second Test, we’ve entered an intriguing moment in the journey of this approach. England could quite easily win in Brisbane through aggressive play. More likely, they could lose just as quickly. And if they do lose it seems we really might be entering the final stage.

Ahead of this, there are two things to note about this. Previously, during the initial excitement, of passion and hope, a column appeared calling it a phenomenon. People were very angry, which was helpful because everyone knows a method to show something definitely isn’t a cult is should followers respond with anger objecting to the questioning of the philosophy.

What has happened in the last few days are fascinating. Criticism of the approach has now become the cult. Online outrage is widespread, disappointed commentators, pictures of upset travelling fans missing out on play, like a room full of investors demanding recourse.

On the other hand, exists the larger scene of the opponent’s mixed deep-seated frustration with the aggressive tourists, out there saying, the methods you value and have developed as one way of separating yourself culturally from us, well, it’s all a bit of a gag in the end old boy.

Here lies the truth. It’s all cults. Bazball was a cult since the sport itself is insular. Or at least, the team has long been exclusive, a group, a private event, a restricted environment with a long history of tradition and mystery behind it. It has long been where entry is limited. It’s the imperial sport of the British, the original sports washers. And guess what, the country is a phenomenon, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a monarchy still exists.

England’s cricketers have been sealed up in this environment from a young age. Seeking change, to create a less brutal environment, they are mirroring their past, creating another a bubble, a closed circle, but doing it this time with 15 cool guys and a mentor encouraging individuality as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Stay present. Run towards the danger. However much you change, you remain stuck.

With this mind, it is perhaps the moment to show understanding for Bazball, to acknowledge its merits, that are numerous. How to define it? Creating a sense of freedom. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with