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The Life Cycle of a Phenomenon tends to be marked by distinct phases.

1. The Grand Vision

A charismatic leader or figureheads propose a revolutionary approach pledging a cure for struggling players.

Thus we find ourselves. Plans are in motion to confront the system down in Brisbane. Tensions are rising. Conflict emerges from within. A lone figure, naked, anxious, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT displayed prominently as a symbol, has come staggering from the field and is removed in secrecy towards an inconclusive loan stint at Derbyshire.

Remember the start, when optimism reigned? The era of early Bazball, of pure instinct.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Team architects guarantee a new start, a brighter tomorrow, camaraderie, salvation within a community united in belief in the philosophy.

How did it feel initially? A team united feeling good. Ink. Forearms. Determination. Confident masculinity. Of course, The team insist Bazball doesn’t actually exist, amusingly because if it doesn’t exist, what did we see?

But we know the concept. It’s Harry Brook executing a stroke so depraved it defies description. It’s the adrenaline of the leader at his peak, a look that says: focused titan, beard made of wood, untamed style, truly contemporary you half-expect to look down and notice he’s fielding at mid-off bare-chested holding a fish.

It’s Ben Duckett often seen addressing the media, resembling a happy little woodland creature smartly dressed, expressing thoughts like we are actively deconstructing the orange. Indeed, the vibe, initially, was uplifting.

3. A New Life

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

Am I alone? The criticism, the anger, the feeling of letdown after the first Ashes Test defeat appears excessive, too much. England batted badly during the match, as is typical there. They were dominated while bowling for a couple of hours as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, manipulated by the batsman imitating their style effectively, adaptive to conditions, a man playing with brilliance.

And now we have this the pile-on, the frustration, the perception of the team as a failure. The feeling seems to be that England don’t just need to lose, they need to lose righteously, to be cleansed, obliterated, destroyed by the vengeful purity of the pace attack, the simple basics of Scott Boland, seen enjoying successes humbly similar to getting a pleasant gift. How will they respond?

4. External Conflict

Challenges surface due to setbacks. But the cult cannot admit errors. It turns to anger towards critics.

In truth, half a week out the next match, we’ve entered an intriguing moment in the story of this approach. Victory is possible overseas with bold tactics. Probably, defeat could come swiftly. And if they do lose it feels like we could be witnessing the death cult phase.

Prior to that, several aspects to consider on the topic. In the past, during the initial excitement, of light and heat, an piece was published labeling it a movement. People were very angry, which proved the point because everyone knows a method to show lack of cult status is when its acolytes send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages denying scrutiny of the philosophy.

Recent events lately are equally notable. Criticism of the approach has now become the cult. Online outrage is widespread, disappointed commentators, pictures of upset travelling fans missing out on play, reminiscent of people wanting fairness.

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 honed as one way of separating yourself from others, well, it’s all a bit of a gag after all.

Here lies the truth. Everything is a cult. The style was a trend as the game has its own culture. In fact, the team has long been exclusive, a circle, a garden party, a restricted environment with a long history of ceremonial past defining it. This has always been a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the colonial game of the British, the original sports washers. And surprisingly, the nation has its own culture, a system of unknown levels, a place that literally still has a king.

The players have been enclosed within this world since childhood. Seeking change, to build a better atmosphere, they are simply replicating their upbringing, creating another a bubble, a closed circle, but now with a new team and a mentor encouraging individuality if you fit the mold.

Live where your feet are. Confront risks. However much you change, things stay similar.

Reflecting on this, it is perhaps the moment to have some sympathy for the approach, to recognize its positives, which are significant. How to define it? Encouraging expression. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with