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The Journey of a Movement tends to be defined by clear stages.

1. The Grand Vision

An inspiring figure or leaders introduce an innovative concept that promises a cure for alienated and vulnerable people.

So here we are. Plans are in motion to confront the system down in Brisbane. Tensions are rising. Signs of trouble appear from the out-houses. An isolated player, exposed, anxious, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT displayed prominently as a symbol, has stumbled into view and is being led away under a blanket to a different team at Derbyshire.

Do you ever miss the start, when optimism reigned? The initial phase, of Bazball without brains.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Cult leaders guarantee a fresh beginning, hope for a future, support, redemption within a community who all believe in the philosophy.

What was this thing at first? A team united enjoying success. Ink. Forearms. Jawlines. Confident masculinity. Oh sure, The squad will claim they don’t use the label, ironically as it’s denied, what was that spectacle?

But we know the concept. It’s the player attempting a move so outrageous it’s beyond belief. It’s the thrill of the leader in his final form, an expression conveying: pensive Nordic god, beard made of wood, untamed style, so authentically Modern Savage you almost imagine to look down and see him playing in the field shirtless and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s the opener still being allowed to talk in press conferences, resembling a happy little woodland creature in a waistcoat, expressing thoughts like we’re challenging norms. Indeed, the atmosphere, for quite a long time, was only good energy.

3. Expansion Period

Building period. Cohesion maintained via memorization of the cult’s slogans. These ideas can appear contradictory to prove commitment.

Is it just me? The criticism, the fury, the feeling of letdown post-defeat seems too strong, overdone. The batting collapsed on the field, as history shows. They were savaged while bowling in a short span when tactics failed, outplayed by Travis Head batting like England but better, responsive to the situation, an athlete shining with aura.

Now there is the criticism, the frustration, the view of the sport as a kind of abomination. The opinion suggests that England don’t just need to lose, they should be dismantled, to be scoured, destroyed, overwhelmed via traditional methods of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the conventional tactics of the veteran, out there celebrating his wickets modestly as if receiving a nice new fishing rod. What impact will this have?

4. Hate Bonding

Issues emerge because of mistakes. However, faults are ignored. It turns to anger towards critics.

The fact remains, a few days before from the second Test, we’ve entered an intriguing moment in the journey of this thing. England could quite easily win overseas through aggressive play. Alternatively, they could lose just as quickly. And if they do lose it appears we really might be entering the decline.

Prior to that, a couple of points to consider regarding this. Previously, back in those heady early days, of optimism and energy, a column appeared suggesting Bazball was a cult. There was outrage, which was helpful since it’s clear a method to show that it’s not a closed group is if supporters respond with anger denying scrutiny of the philosophy.

What has happened in the last few days is just as interesting. It seems that hating Bazball has turned into a movement. We have a uniformly angry internet, disappointed commentators, shots of angry middle-aged supporters abroad missing out on play, reminiscent of people wanting fairness.

Meanwhile, we have the wider backdrop of the host’s complex deep-seated frustration with the aggressive tourists, stating, hey, that thing you love and have developed as part of your identity culturally from us, well, it’s all a bit of a gag after all.

This is the core issue. It’s all cults. Bazball was a cult since the sport itself is insular. In fact, English cricket has always been a cult, a clique, an elite gathering, an insular community with a long history of opaque and ritualistic cult history defining it. It has long been where influence is guarded. It’s the British pastime of England, the original sports washers. And notably, Britain is itself a cult, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a monarchy still exists.

England’s cricketers have been enclosed in this environment since childhood. Seeking change, to build a better atmosphere, they are simply replicating their own experience, building another enclosure, a limited community, however with a modern squad and a leader encouraging individuality as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Live where your feet are. Confront risks. But no matter how fast and far you run, things stay similar.

Reflecting on this, it might be appropriate to have some sympathy for Bazball, to appreciate its good points, of which there are many. What is Bazball? Creating a sense of freedom. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with