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The Life Cycle of a Cult can be characterized by distinct phases.

1. The Big Idea

A dominant personality or leaders present an innovative concept pledging a cure for alienated and vulnerable people.

Thus we find ourselves. Plans are in motion to storm the compound in Australia. Tensions are rising. Smoke is rising from within. An isolated player, exposed, shivering, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT displayed prominently as a statement, has come staggering from the field and is taken aside under a blanket towards an inconclusive loan stint elsewhere.

Remember the beginning, when everything was fresh? The days of Bazball 1.0, of pure instinct.

2. Love-Bombing

Movement founders offer a new start, optimism ahead, love, salvation among a group who all believe in the big idea.

What was this thing back then? Just men on a balcony basking in glory. Body art. Strength. Focus. Confident masculinity. Oh sure, The squad will claim they don’t use the label, amusingly since it’s not recognized, what exactly did I just watch?

But we know the concept. It’s the batsman attempting a move so unconventional it defies description. It’s the adrenaline of the captain at his peak, a look that says: pensive Nordic god, beard made of wood, untamed style, so authentically Modern Savage you half-expect to glance over and find him positioned in the field shirtless holding a fish.

It’s the opener still being allowed to talk in press conferences, resembling a cheerful animal smartly dressed, expressing thoughts like we’re challenging norms. And yes, the energy, for a significant period, was only good energy.

3. Expansion Period

Growth phase. Cohesion maintained via memorization of key phrases. These principles can appear contradictory as a loyalty check.

Does anyone else feel? The reaction, the outrage, the disappointment following the initial loss appears excessive, too much. The batting collapsed in Perth, as history shows. They were torn apart defensively for a couple of hours as plans unraveled, manipulated by the batsman batting like England but better, adjusting to the pitch, a performer excelling with brilliance.

Currently, we see the criticism, the rage, the perception of the team as a kind of abomination. The feeling seems to be that defeat must be total, they need to lose righteously, to be scoured, flame-throwered, destroyed via traditional methods of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the conventional tactics of the bowler, seen enjoying achievements humbly similar to getting a nice new fishing rod. How will they respond?

4. The Backlash Phase

Problems arise from failures in the plan. Yet, mistakes are denied. It turns to anger towards critics.

Ultimately, approaching the upcoming game, we have now reached a critical juncture in the journey of this approach. They might succeed in Brisbane in a blur of adrenal disruption. Alternatively, they could lose just as quickly. And if they do lose it appears we could be witnessing the final stage.

Ahead of this, a couple of points to note on the topic. More than two years ago, at the start, of passion and hope, I wrote an article suggesting Bazball was a cult. Criticism followed, which demonstrated since it’s clear how to confirm that it’s not a closed group is if supporters respond with anger rejecting criticism of the beliefs.

The developments in the last few days are equally notable. Criticism of the approach has turned into a movement. Online outrage is widespread, critical analysts, images of frustrated travelling fans missing out on play, reminiscent of timeshare owners seeking justice.

On the other hand, there is the broader context of the host’s complex ingrained annoyance 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.

Here lies the truth. It’s all cults. The style was a trend since the sport itself is insular. Or rather, the team has long been exclusive, a circle, an elite gathering, an insular community with a long history of tradition and mystery behind it. Historically, this was a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the colonial game of the nation, the early image-makers. And surprisingly, the country is a phenomenon, a system of unknown levels, a royal family remains.

The team have been isolated in this system from a young age. Attempting to break free, to create a less brutal environment, they are just repeating their past, creating another a bubble, a closed circle, however 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. Embrace challenges. But no matter how fast and far you run, you’re always basically in the same place.

Considering this, now is the time to have some sympathy for the approach, to recognize its positives, that are numerous. How to define it? Encouraging expression. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with