🔗 Share this article

The Life Cycle of a Cult is often defined by distinct phases.

1. The Core Concept

An inspiring figure or coaches present a new and transcendent idea offering a cure for struggling players.

And so it goes. Preparations are underway to storm the compound down in Brisbane. Tensions are rising. Conflict emerges from the sidelines. One individual, exposed, anxious, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT written on his body as a statement, has stumbled into view and is removed with discretion for a temporary assignment in county cricket.

Do you ever miss the early days, when optimism reigned? The era of early Bazball, of Bazball without brains.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Movement founders promise a fresh beginning, hope for a future, camaraderie, redemption among a group united in belief in the philosophy.

How did it feel initially? Players celebrating feeling good. Tattoos. Forearms. Focus. Confident masculinity. Admittedly, England’s players often say it’s not a real term, which is funny since it’s not recognized, what was that spectacle?

But we know what it is. It’s the batsman playing a shot so unconventional it’s beyond belief. It’s the excitement of the leader at his peak, a demeanor suggesting: focused titan, beard made of wood, hair woven from beaver hide, so authentically Modern Savage you almost imagine to glance over and find him positioned on the ground bare-chested holding a fish.

It’s Ben Duckett continuing to have permission speaking publicly, appearing as a joyful figure in a waistcoat, expressing thoughts like we’re breaking down traditions. And yes, the vibe, initially, was entirely positive.

3. A New Life

Building period. Unity enforced via memorization of the cult’s slogans. These ideas are often illogical as a test of “true belief”.

Am I alone? The backlash, the outrage, the sense of betrayal post-defeat appears excessive, overdone. The performance was poor in Perth, as they often do in Australia. They were dominated in the field during a brief period when tactics failed, outplayed by the batsman playing aggressively but smarter, responsive to the situation, a man playing with brilliance.

Currently, we see the criticism, the anger, the perception of the team as a failure. The feeling seems to be that England don’t just need to lose, they must be humbled, to be scoured, flame-throwered, overwhelmed by the vengeful purity of the pace attack, the low-fi orthodoxies of the veteran, seen enjoying successes with a bashful smile like he’s just been given a pleasant gift. What impact will this have?

4. Hate Bonding

Issues emerge from failures in the plan. Yet, mistakes are denied. It starts to feed on hostility externally.

In truth, a few days before the upcoming game, we have now reached a critical juncture in the lifespan of this approach. Victory is possible overseas in a blur of adrenal disruption. Alternatively, failure may follow. In case of defeat it appears we could be witnessing the final stage.

Before that happens, several aspects worth saying on the topic. Previously, at the start, of passion and hope, a column appeared calling it a phenomenon. There was outrage, which demonstrated because everyone knows how to confirm that it’s not a closed group is when its acolytes send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages objecting to the questioning of its truths.

The developments recently are fascinating. Opposition to the style has turned into a movement. Online outrage is widespread, disappointed commentators, images of frustrated travelling fans cheated out of three days of cricket, like a room full of timeshare owners seeking justice.

On the other hand, exists the larger scene of the opponent’s mixed deep-seated frustration with the aggressive tourists, stating, your cherished traditions and have developed as one way of separating yourself culturally from us, well, it’s all a bit of a gag after all.

Here lies the truth. Everything is a cult. The style was a trend because cricket is a cult. Or at least, the sport in England is closed, a circle, a garden party, a restricted environment with centuries of tradition and mystery behind it. It has long been a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the colonial game of the nation, the original sports washers. And notably, Britain is itself a cult, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a place that literally still has a king.

The players have been isolated within this world for years. In trying to escape from it, to create a less brutal environment, they are mirroring their own experience, building another enclosure, a limited community, but doing it this time with a new team and a coach who wants you to be yourself provided you conform.

Focus on the moment. Run towards the danger. Despite efforts, you remain stuck.

Reflecting on this, it might be appropriate to offer compassion for the movement, to appreciate its good points, which are significant. How to define it? Encouraging expression. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with