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

1. The Core Concept

An inspiring figure or leaders propose a new and transcendent idea that promises a solution for disconnected individuals.

So here we are. Preparations are underway to storm the compound overseas. The gunships are circling. Smoke is rising from the sidelines. An isolated player, vulnerable, anxious, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT displayed prominently as a statement, has stumbled from the field and is being led away under a blanket to a different team elsewhere.

Do you recall the early days, when optimism reigned? The era of early Bazball, of pure instinct.

2. Love-Bombing

Team architects offer a reboot, hope for a future, support, salvation together who all believe in the philosophy.

What was this thing back then? A team united enjoying success. Tattoos. Strength. Focus. Elite male wellness energy. Of course, The team insist it’s not a real term, amusingly because if it doesn’t exist, what did we see?

Yet it’s clear its essence. It’s Harry Brook playing a shot so depraved it’s beyond belief. It’s the thrill of the captain in ultimate mode, a demeanor suggesting: focused titan, beard made of wood, hair woven from beaver hide, genuinely raw you half-expect to glance over and notice he’s fielding at mid-off stripped to the waist embracing nature.

It’s the opener still being allowed addressing the media, appearing as a cheerful animal in a waistcoat, saying stuff like we are actively deconstructing the orange. Certainly, the atmosphere, initially, was only good energy.

3. A New Life

Growth phase. Togetherness strengthened via memorization of the cult’s slogans. These ideas are often illogical as a test of “true belief”.

Is it just me? The backlash, the anger, the disappointment following the initial loss seems too strong, too much. England batted badly in Perth, as history shows. They were dominated in the field in a short span when tactics failed, manipulated by the opponent batting like England but better, adaptive to conditions, an athlete shining with brilliance.

And now we have this the pile-on, the frustration, the sense of English Test cricket as a kind of abomination. The opinion suggests that England don’t just need to lose, they must be humbled, to be purged, destroyed, overwhelmed via traditional methods of the pace attack, the simple basics of Scott Boland, marking achievements humbly like he’s just been given a nice new fishing rod. What impact will this have?

4. The Backlash Phase

Problems arise because of mistakes. But the cult cannot admit errors. It turns to anger towards critics.

In truth, approaching the upcoming game, we are at an intriguing moment in the story of this approach. Victory is possible overseas through aggressive play. Alternatively, failure may follow. And if they do lose it seems we could be witnessing the decline.

Before that happens, a couple of points worth saying on the topic. More than two years ago, during the initial excitement, of passion and hope, I wrote an article labeling it a movement. There was outrage, which was helpful since it’s clear the best way of proving something definitely isn’t a cult is if supporters react defensively denying scrutiny of the beliefs.

Recent events recently are equally notable. Opposition to the style has turned into a movement. Online outrage is widespread, critical analysts, images of frustrated supporters abroad cheated out of three days of cricket, similar to people wanting fairness.

Meanwhile, there is the broader context of the opponent’s mixed more culturally hard-wired exasperation towards the unconventional visitors, claiming, hey, that thing you love and have fostered and nurtured as one way of separating yourself from the opposition, well, it’s all a bit of a gag in the end old boy.

This is the core issue. Everything is a cult. The style was a trend as the game has its own culture. In fact, English cricket has always been a cult, a group, a private event, a restricted environment with a long history of tradition and mystery supporting it. It has long been where entry is limited. It’s the colonial game of the nation, the pioneering brand. And surprisingly, the nation has its own culture, a system of unknown levels, a royal family remains.

The players have been sealed up in this system since childhood. In trying to escape from it, to foster positivity, they are mirroring their past, forming a new circle, an exclusive group, but now with a modern squad and a leader promoting authenticity if you fit the mold.

Focus on the moment. Embrace challenges. However much you change, you’re always basically in the same place.

Reflecting on this, now is the time to have some sympathy for the approach, to recognize its positives, of which there are many. What does it represent? Creating a sense of freedom. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with