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The Life Cycle of a Movement can be defined by specific steps.

1. The Big Idea

An inspiring figure or figureheads introduce an innovative concept pledging a solution for disconnected individuals.

So here we are. They’re getting ready to storm the compound overseas. Tensions are rising. Signs of trouble appear from within. An isolated player, vulnerable, anxious, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT smeared across his chest as a symbol, has emerged into view and is removed in secrecy for a temporary assignment in county cricket.

Do you ever miss the early days, when everything was fresh? The era of early Bazball, of Bazball without brains.

2. Love-Bombing

Cult leaders guarantee a new start, hope for a future, love, salvation within a community with shared faith in the philosophy.

What was this thing at first? Players celebrating basking in glory. Ink. Muscles. Focus. Confident masculinity. Of course, England’s players often say Bazball doesn’t actually exist, ironically because if it doesn’t exist, what did we see?

But we know its essence. It’s the player executing a stroke so outrageous it defies description. It’s the excitement of Ben Stokes in ultimate mode, an expression conveying: thoughtful warrior, beard made of wood, untamed style, genuinely raw you half-expect to look down and find him positioned in the field bare-chested and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s the batsman still being allowed addressing the media, out there looking like a happy little woodland creature in a waistcoat, uttering phrases such as we are actively deconstructing the orange. Certainly, the atmosphere, initially, was uplifting.

3. Expansion Period

Growth phase. Togetherness strengthened by rote learning of the cult’s slogans. These beliefs may seem irrational as a loyalty check.

Is it just me? The criticism, the anger, the sense of betrayal following the initial loss feels overblown, overdone. The batting collapsed in Perth, as is typical there. They were torn apart while bowling for a couple of hours as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, manipulated by the batsman imitating their style effectively, adjusting to the pitch, a performer excelling with a kind of light around him.

And now we have this the attacks, the anger, the perception of the team as a disgrace. The consensus is that losing isn’t enough, they should be dismantled, to be scoured, obliterated, overwhelmed by the vengeful purity of the bowler’s action, the conventional tactics of Scott Boland, seen enjoying successes humbly similar to getting a pleasant gift. What impact will this have?

4. Hate Bonding

Problems arise from failures in the plan. But the cult cannot admit errors. It begins to thrive on hatred of the outside world.

In truth, half a week out the next match, we have now reached a delicious point of tension in the journey of this thing. Victory is possible overseas with bold tactics. More likely, they could lose just as quickly. Should they fail it seems we really might be entering the decline.

Ahead of this, several aspects to consider about this. Previously, at the start, of optimism and energy, an piece was published suggesting Bazball was a cult. There was outrage, which demonstrated because everyone knows a method to show lack of cult status is should followers respond with anger denying scrutiny of the philosophy.

Recent events recently is just as interesting. It seems that hating Bazball is now the trend. Social media is furious, critical analysts, shots of angry middle-aged followers overseas disappointed by the short match, like a room full of people wanting fairness.

On the other hand, there is the broader context of Australia’s more nuanced more culturally hard-wired exasperation towards the unconventional visitors, stating, hey, that thing you love and have honed to distinguish yourselves culturally from us, it’s not serious ultimately.

And this is the real point. Everything is a cult. Bazball was a cult since the sport itself is insular. Or rather, English cricket has always been a cult, a clique, a private event, a restricted environment 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 colonial game of the British, the early image-makers. And surprisingly, Britain is itself a cult, a system of unknown levels, a monarchy still exists.

England’s cricketers have been sealed up in this system for years. Attempting to break free, to create a less brutal environment, they are mirroring their own experience, forming a new circle, an exclusive group, but now with a new team and a mentor who wants you to be yourself if you fit the mold.

Live where your feet are. Confront risks. Despite efforts, you remain stuck.

Reflecting on this, it is perhaps the moment to show understanding for Bazball, to acknowledge its merits, of which there are many. What does it represent? Encouraging expression. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with