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The Journey of a Phenomenon is often marked by clear stages.

1. The Grand Vision

A dominant personality or leaders introduce a revolutionary approach pledging a panacea for alienated and vulnerable people.

Thus we find ourselves. Plans are in motion to confront the system in Australia. Pressure is mounting. Signs of trouble appear from the out-houses. An isolated player, naked, anxious, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET written on his body as a symbol, has come staggering from the field and is being led away in secrecy for a temporary assignment elsewhere.

Do you recall the beginning, when everything was fresh? The days of Bazball 1.0, of Bazball without brains.

2. Initial Adoration

Movement founders promise a fresh beginning, optimism ahead, camaraderie, salvation within a community united in belief in the big idea.

How did it feel back then? A team united basking in glory. Body art. Forearms. Focus. Confident masculinity. Admittedly, The team insist they don’t use the label, which is funny because if it doesn’t exist, what was that spectacle?

However, everyone understands the concept. It’s Harry Brook executing a stroke so unconventional it’s beyond belief. It’s the adrenaline of the leader in ultimate mode, an expression conveying: thoughtful warrior, rugged appearance, untamed style, so authentically Modern Savage you half-expect to look down and find him positioned at mid-off stripped to the waist embracing nature.

It’s Ben Duckett continuing to have permission speaking publicly, resembling a happy little woodland creature formally attired, uttering phrases such as we’re challenging norms. And yes, the vibe, for quite a long time, was entirely positive.

3. Expansion Period

Development stage. Cohesion maintained through repetition of the cult’s slogans. These beliefs are often illogical to prove commitment.

Am I alone? The backlash, the fury, the sense of betrayal post-defeat appears excessive, too much. England batted badly in Perth, as they often do in Australia. They were torn apart while bowling in a short span as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, manipulated by the opponent playing aggressively but smarter, adaptive to conditions, an athlete shining with brilliance.

Now there is the attacks, the anger, the view of the sport as a disgrace. The feeling seems to be that defeat must be total, they need to lose righteously, to be scoured, obliterated, defeated via traditional methods of the bowler’s action, the low-fi orthodoxies of the veteran, out there celebrating achievements humbly similar to getting a nice new fishing rod. What impact will this have?

4. The Backlash Phase

Problems arise due to setbacks. Yet, mistakes are denied. It starts to feed on hatred of the outside world.

In truth, half a week out the next match, we’ve entered a critical juncture in the story of this approach. England could quite easily win in the next Test through aggressive play. Alternatively, they could lose just as quickly. And if they do lose it appears we could be witnessing the death cult phase.

Before that happens, there are two things worth saying about this. In the past, at the start, of optimism and energy, I wrote an article calling it a phenomenon. Criticism followed, which demonstrated because everyone knows a method to show something definitely isn’t a cult is should followers react defensively denying scrutiny of its truths.

Recent events lately is just as interesting. Criticism of the approach has turned into a movement. Social media is furious, critical analysts, pictures of upset followers overseas missing out on play, reminiscent of people wanting fairness.

Conversely, we have the wider backdrop of the opponent’s mixed deep-seated frustration with the aggressive tourists, out there saying, the methods you value and have developed to distinguish yourselves from others, it’s just a joke in the end old boy.

And this is the real point. All movements are similar. The approach was a phenomenon as the game has its own culture. In fact, the sport in England is closed, a circle, a private event, a restricted environment with a long history of opaque and ritualistic cult history defining it. Historically, this was a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the British pastime of the British, 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 within this world for years. Attempting to break free, to build a better atmosphere, they are just repeating their past, creating another a bubble, an exclusive group, but now with 15 cool guys and a coach encouraging individuality provided you conform.

Stay present. Confront risks. Despite efforts, things stay similar.

Considering this, it might be appropriate to offer compassion for the approach, to acknowledge its merits, which are significant. What is Bazball? Encouraging expression. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with