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The Journey of a Movement can be defined by clear stages.

1. The Big Idea

A charismatic leader or leaders propose an innovative concept pledging a solution for alienated and vulnerable people.

And so it goes. Preparations are underway to confront the system in Australia. Tensions are rising. Signs of trouble appear from the sidelines. One individual, naked, anxious, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT written on his body as a symbol, has stumbled into view and is taken aside with discretion for a temporary assignment in county cricket.

Remember the early days, when the world was still young? The initial phase, of uninhibited aggression.

2. Love-Bombing

Cult leaders promise a reboot, optimism ahead, support, salvation within a community who all believe in the philosophy.

What did it represent initially? Players celebrating enjoying success. Tattoos. Strength. Focus. Elite male wellness energy. Admittedly, The squad often say they don’t use the label, ironically since it’s not recognized, what did we see?

But we know what it is. It’s the player executing a stroke so outrageous it has to be pixelated. It’s the thrill of the captain in his final form, a demeanor suggesting: thoughtful warrior, strong features, natural look, so authentically Modern Savage you almost imagine to look down and notice he’s fielding in the field shirtless holding a fish.

It’s the opener continuing to have permission to talk in press conferences, resembling a happy little woodland creature in a waistcoat, expressing thoughts like we’re challenging norms. And yes, the energy, initially, was entirely positive.

3. A New Life

Building period. Togetherness strengthened via memorization of the cult’s slogans. These beliefs are often illogical to prove commitment.

Am I alone? The criticism, the fury, the feeling of letdown post-defeat feels overblown, too much. The performance was poor on the field, as history shows. They were torn apart while bowling in a short span as plans unraveled, manipulated by the opponent imitating their style effectively, responsive to the situation, an athlete shining with brilliance.

And now we have this the criticism, the rage, the perception of the team as a failure. The consensus is that England don’t just need to lose, they should be dismantled, to be purged, destroyed, overwhelmed through sheer skill of the pace attack, the low-fi orthodoxies of the bowler, seen enjoying his wickets humbly like he’s just been given a rewarding prize. What will this do to them?

4. Hate Bonding

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

In truth, approaching the upcoming game, we are at a critical juncture in the journey of this thing. England could quite easily win in the next Test through aggressive play. More likely, they could lose just as quickly. And if they do lose it seems we really might be entering the decline.

Before that happens, several aspects to consider regarding this. Previously, during the initial excitement, of optimism and energy, I wrote an article calling it a phenomenon. 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 objecting to the questioning of the beliefs.

What has happened lately are fascinating. Criticism of the approach is now the trend. Social media is furious, angry English pundits, shots of angry middle-aged travelling fans cheated out of three days of cricket, similar to timeshare owners seeking justice.

Conversely, there is the broader context of the host’s complex ingrained annoyance with the aggressive tourists, stating, your cherished traditions and have honed as one way of separating yourself from the opposition, it’s not serious after all.

This is the core issue. Everything is a cult. Bazball was a cult as the game has its own culture. In fact, the sport in England is closed, a clique, an elite gathering, a closed world with two hundred years of opaque and ritualistic cult history supporting it. This has always been a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the British pastime of the nation, the original sports washers. And guess what, the country is a phenomenon, a system of unknown levels, a place that literally still has a king.

The team have been enclosed within this world for years. In trying to escape from it, to create a less brutal environment, they are just repeating their past, forming a new circle, an exclusive group, but now with 15 cool guys and a mentor promoting authenticity as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Focus on the moment. Run towards the danger. However much you change, you remain stuck.

With this mind, it might be appropriate to show understanding for Bazball, to acknowledge its merits, of which there are many. How to define it? Promoting liberation. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with