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The Life Cycle of a Cult can be defined by specific steps.

1. The Grand Vision

A charismatic leader or coaches propose an innovative concept offering a cure for struggling players.

And so it goes. Plans are in motion to storm the compound overseas. Pressure is mounting. Smoke is rising from within. One individual, naked, anxious, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT displayed prominently as a symbol, has come staggering through the lines and is removed under a blanket towards an inconclusive loan stint elsewhere.

Remember the early days, when optimism reigned? The era of early Bazball, of uninhibited aggression.

2. Love-Bombing

Cult leaders guarantee a fresh beginning, optimism ahead, support, salvation together who all believe in the philosophy.

How did it feel initially? A team united basking in glory. Body art. Strength. Determination. Confident masculinity. Admittedly, England’s players often say it’s not a real term, which is funny since it’s not recognized, what was that spectacle?

Yet it’s clear its essence. It’s the batsman attempting a move so outrageous it’s beyond belief. It’s the thrill of the leader in his final form, a look that says: pensive Nordic god, strong features, natural look, truly contemporary you almost imagine to notice and see him playing at mid-off shirtless and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s Ben Duckett often seen speaking publicly, appearing as a happy little woodland creature smartly dressed, uttering phrases such as we’re breaking down traditions. And yes, the vibe, for quite a long time, was uplifting.

3. The Growth Phase

Building period. Unity enforced by rote learning of the cult’s slogans. These ideas are often illogical as a loyalty check.

Is it just me? The reaction, the anger, the sense of betrayal after the first Ashes Test defeat seems too strong, overdone. England batted badly on the field, as is typical there. They were savaged in the field in a short span when tactics failed, manipulated by the batsman batting like England but better, adjusting to the pitch, an athlete shining with aura.

And now we have this the pile-on, the anger, the perception of the team as a disgrace. The opinion suggests that losing isn’t enough, they should be dismantled, to be scoured, flame-throwered, defeated via traditional methods of the bowler’s action, the low-fi orthodoxies of the veteran, seen enjoying successes humbly like he’s just been given a pleasant gift. What will this do to them?

4. Hate Bonding

Challenges surface due to setbacks. But the cult cannot admit errors. It starts to feed on hostility externally.

In truth, approaching from the second Test, we have now reached an intriguing moment in the lifespan of this thing. England could quite easily win overseas in a blur of adrenal disruption. Probably, they could lose just as quickly. Should they fail it feels like we really might be entering the decline.

Ahead of this, several aspects to consider about this. In the past, at the start, of passion and hope, I wrote an article suggesting Bazball was a cult. There was outrage, which was helpful as it’s known how to confirm lack of cult status is when its acolytes send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages denying scrutiny of the philosophy.

Recent events in the last few days is just as interesting. Opposition to the style has turned into a movement. Online outrage is widespread, disappointed commentators, pictures of upset travelling fans disappointed by the short match, like a room full of investors demanding recourse.

On the other hand, we have the wider backdrop of Australia’s more nuanced deep-seated frustration towards the unconventional visitors, out there saying, the methods you value and have fostered and nurtured as one way of separating yourself culturally from us, it’s not serious ultimately.

And this is the real point. It’s all cults. Bazball was a cult since the sport itself is insular. Or rather, English cricket has always been a cult, a group, a garden party, a closed world with centuries of opaque and ritualistic cult history supporting it. It has long been a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the imperial sport of the British, the early image-makers. And surprisingly, Britain is itself a cult, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a monarchy still exists.

The team have been enclosed within this world from a young age. In trying to escape from it, to foster positivity, they are mirroring their upbringing, forming a new circle, an exclusive group, but now with 15 cool guys and a mentor who wants you to be yourself as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

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

With this mind, it might be appropriate to offer compassion for the movement, to acknowledge its merits, which are significant. What does it represent? Encouraging expression. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with