🔗 Share this article

The Life Cycle of a Phenomenon tends to be marked by specific steps.

1. The Grand Vision

An inspiring figure or leaders propose a new and transcendent idea offering a solution for struggling players.

Thus we find ourselves. Preparations are underway to storm the compound in Australia. Pressure is mounting. Smoke is rising from the sidelines. An isolated player, exposed, shivering, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET displayed prominently as a statement, has emerged into view and is being led away under a blanket for a temporary assignment in county cricket.

Do you ever miss the early days, when the world was still young? The era of early Bazball, of uninhibited aggression.

2. Initial Adoration

Cult leaders promise a new start, a brighter tomorrow, camaraderie, redemption among a group united in belief in the philosophy.

How did it feel initially? A team united enjoying success. Ink. Strength. Determination. Peak performance vibes. Admittedly, The squad insist they don’t use the label, which is funny since it’s not recognized, what was that spectacle?

Yet it’s clear what it is. It’s the batsman attempting a move so outrageous it’s beyond belief. It’s the thrill of the leader at his peak, a demeanor suggesting: pensive Nordic god, rugged appearance, natural look, truly contemporary you wouldn’t be surprised to glance over and see him playing on the ground shirtless and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s Ben Duckett still being allowed addressing the media, resembling a happy little woodland creature smartly dressed, expressing thoughts like we’re breaking down traditions. Indeed, the atmosphere, initially, was only good energy.

3. The Growth Phase

Building period. Unity enforced through repetition of the cult’s slogans. These beliefs may seem irrational as a test of “true belief”.

Does anyone else feel? The reaction, the fury, the disappointment post-defeat seems too strong, overdone. England batted badly during the match, as they often do in Australia. They were savaged while bowling for a couple of hours as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, manipulated by Travis Head imitating their style effectively, responsive to the situation, an athlete shining with aura.

And now we have this the pile-on, the anger, the perception of the team as a kind of abomination. The consensus is that England don’t just need to lose, they should be dismantled, to be scoured, obliterated, overwhelmed through sheer skill of the pace attack, the simple basics of the bowler, marking his wickets humbly as if receiving a rewarding prize. What impact will this have?

4. The Backlash Phase

Problems arise because of mistakes. Yet, mistakes are denied. It starts to feed on anger towards critics.

Ultimately, half a week out the upcoming game, we have now reached a delicious point of tension in the journey of this movement. They might succeed in Brisbane through aggressive play. Probably, they could lose just as quickly. In case of defeat it appears we could be witnessing the death cult phase.

Before that happens, a couple of points worth saying on the topic. In the past, back in those heady early days, of passion and hope, a column appeared labeling it a movement. There was outrage, which proved the point since it’s clear a method to show that it’s not a closed group is if supporters respond with anger rejecting criticism of the philosophy.

What has happened in the last few days is just as interesting. Criticism of the approach has now become the cult. Online outrage is widespread, critical analysts, pictures of upset travelling fans disappointed by the short match, reminiscent of investors demanding recourse.

Meanwhile, we have the wider backdrop of Australia’s more nuanced ingrained annoyance towards the unconventional visitors, stating, your cherished traditions and have developed to distinguish yourselves from others, it’s not serious in the end old boy.

This is the core issue. Everything is a cult. Bazball was a cult as the game has its own culture. Or at least, English cricket has always been a cult, a circle, a private event, a restricted environment with a long history of ceremonial past supporting it. Historically, this was where entry is limited. It’s the colonial game of the nation, the original sports washers. And guess what, the country is a phenomenon, a structure of hidden ranks, a royal family remains.

The team have been enclosed in this environment from a young age. Attempting to break free, to create a less brutal environment, they are mirroring their past, building another enclosure, a closed circle, but doing it this time with a modern squad and a leader who wants you to be yourself as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Focus on the moment. Embrace challenges. But no matter how fast and far you run, you remain stuck.

Considering this, now is the time to have some sympathy for the approach, to acknowledge its merits, of which there are many. How to define it? Creating a sense of freedom. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with