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The Journey of a Cult can be characterized by distinct phases.

1. The Big Idea

A charismatic leader or figureheads introduce a new and transcendent idea pledging a solution for disconnected individuals.

And so it goes. They’re getting ready to storm the compound in Australia. Pressure is mounting. Signs of trouble appear from within. One individual, exposed, shivering, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT smeared across his chest in chicken blood, has emerged from the field and is removed under a blanket to a different team at Derbyshire.

Do you ever miss the early days, when everything was fresh? The era of early Bazball, of Bazball without brains.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Team architects promise a reboot, a brighter tomorrow, camaraderie, success within a community who all believe in the big idea.

What was this thing initially? Just men on a balcony enjoying success. Tattoos. Muscles. Focus. Confident masculinity. Of course, England’s players will claim they don’t use the label, amusingly because if it doesn’t exist, what was that spectacle?

But we know the concept. It’s the batsman attempting a move so depraved it defies description. It’s the adrenaline of the leader in his final form, an expression conveying: pensive Nordic god, strong features, natural look, truly contemporary you wouldn’t be surprised to look down and see him playing in the field stripped to the waist holding a fish.

It’s the batsman often seen to talk in press conferences, resembling a cheerful animal formally attired, expressing thoughts like we are actively deconstructing the orange. Certainly, the vibe, initially, was entirely positive.

3. Expansion Period

Growth phase. Unity enforced through repetition of key phrases. These ideas are often illogical as a loyalty check.

Is it just me? The criticism, the fury, the disappointment post-defeat feels overblown, too much. England batted badly in Perth, as history shows. They were dominated in the field in a short span as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, outplayed by Travis Head imitating their style effectively, responsive to the situation, a performer excelling with a kind of light around him.

And now we have this the attacks, the rage, the view of the sport as a disgrace. The consensus is that defeat must be total, they need to lose righteously, to be cleansed, flame-throwered, destroyed through sheer skill of the bowler’s action, the low-fi orthodoxies of Scott Boland, seen enjoying successes modestly similar to getting a nice new fishing rod. What impact will this have?

4. The Backlash Phase

Issues emerge from failures in the plan. Yet, mistakes are denied. It starts to feed on anger towards critics.

The fact remains, half a week out from the second Test, we’ve entered a delicious point of tension in the lifespan of this approach. Victory is possible in the next Test through aggressive play. Alternatively, they could lose just as quickly. And if they do lose it appears we really might be entering the death cult phase.

Prior to that, several aspects to note on the topic. In the past, during the initial excitement, of passion and hope, a column appeared labeling it a movement. Criticism followed, which demonstrated because everyone knows the best way of proving lack of cult status is should followers react defensively denying scrutiny of its truths.

The developments recently is just as interesting. Opposition to the style is now the trend. Social media is furious, disappointed commentators, shots of angry middle-aged followers overseas cheated out of three days of cricket, reminiscent of timeshare owners seeking justice.

Meanwhile, there is the broader context of the host’s complex more culturally hard-wired exasperation at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, stating, the methods you value and have developed as part of your identity from the opposition, it’s just a joke in the end old boy.

This is the core issue. It’s all cults. The approach was a phenomenon as the game has its own culture. In fact, the team has long been exclusive, a group, an elite gathering, a restricted environment with two hundred years of ceremonial past defining it. Historically, this was where influence is guarded. It’s the imperial sport of England, the early image-makers. And surprisingly, the country is a phenomenon, a structure of hidden ranks, a place that literally still has a king.

The team have been sealed up in this system since childhood. Attempting to break free, to build a better atmosphere, they are mirroring their own experience, building another enclosure, a limited community, but now with 15 cool guys and a coach who wants you to be yourself if you fit the mold.

Focus on the moment. Run towards the danger. Despite efforts, things stay similar.

Reflecting on this, it might be appropriate to show understanding for the approach, to appreciate its good points, of which there are many. What does it represent? Encouraging expression. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with