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The Life Cycle of a Phenomenon can be marked by clear stages.

1. The Core Concept

A charismatic leader or figureheads propose an innovative concept pledging a cure for disconnected individuals.

And so it goes. Preparations are underway to confront the system overseas. The gunships are circling. Smoke is rising from the out-houses. One individual, vulnerable, nervous, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET displayed prominently as a statement, has come staggering through the lines and is removed under a blanket towards an inconclusive loan stint in county cricket.

Do you ever miss the beginning, when the world was still young? The initial phase, of Bazball without brains.

2. Love-Bombing

Team architects guarantee a reboot, optimism ahead, support, redemption together who all believe in the philosophy.

How did it feel at first? Players celebrating feeling good. Tattoos. Forearms. Determination. Confident masculinity. Admittedly, England’s players insist it’s not a real term, ironically as it’s denied, what did we see?

Yet it’s clear the concept. It’s Harry Brook attempting a move so unconventional it defies description. It’s the adrenaline of Ben Stokes in his final form, a look that says: pensive Nordic god, rugged appearance, untamed style, so authentically Modern Savage you almost imagine to look down and find him positioned in the field shirtless holding a fish.

It’s Ben Duckett continuing to have permission to talk in press conferences, resembling a happy little woodland creature formally attired, saying stuff like we’re breaking down traditions. Indeed, the atmosphere, for a significant period, was entirely positive.

3. A New Life

Development stage. Cohesion maintained through repetition of the cult’s slogans. These beliefs are often illogical as a test of “true belief”.

Does anyone else feel? The criticism, the anger, the sense of betrayal post-defeat appears excessive, overdone. England batted badly in Perth, as they often do in Australia. They were torn apart in the field during a brief period when tactics failed, outplayed by the opponent batting like England but better, adaptive to conditions, a man playing with brilliance.

And now we have this the pile-on, the anger, the perception of the team as a failure. The consensus is that England don’t just need to lose, they need to lose righteously, to be scoured, destroyed, defeated by the vengeful purity of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the simple basics of the veteran, out there celebrating successes with a bashful smile like he’s just been given a pleasant gift. What impact will this have?

4. The Backlash Phase

Challenges surface from failures in the plan. But the cult cannot admit errors. It starts to feed on anger towards critics.

Ultimately, a few days before the upcoming game, we have now reached a critical juncture in the story of this approach. England could quite easily win in the next Test through aggressive play. More likely, they could lose just as quickly. Should they fail it seems we may see the decline.

Prior to that, a couple of points worth saying regarding this. In the past, during the initial excitement, of passion and hope, an piece was published calling it a phenomenon. People were very angry, which was helpful since it’s clear the best way of proving lack of cult status is if supporters send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages rejecting criticism of the philosophy.

What has happened lately are equally notable. It seems that hating Bazball has now become the cult. 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 at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, stating, your cherished traditions and have honed to distinguish yourselves culturally from us, it’s just a joke after all.

This is the core issue. All movements are similar. The style was a trend because cricket is a cult. Or at least, the sport in England is closed, a circle, a garden party, an insular community with two hundred years of tradition and mystery behind it. Historically, this was where entry is limited. It’s the imperial sport of England, the pioneering brand. And notably, Britain is itself a cult, a system of unknown levels, a royal family remains.

England’s cricketers have been enclosed in this system from a young age. Seeking change, to foster positivity, they are simply replicating their upbringing, building another enclosure, a closed circle, however with 15 cool guys and a coach encouraging individuality provided you conform.

Live where your feet are. Embrace challenges. However much you change, you’re always basically in the same place.

Considering this, it might be appropriate to offer compassion for Bazball, to appreciate its good points, of which there are many. How to define it? Encouraging expression. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with