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The Journey of a Movement tends to be defined by distinct phases.

1. The Big Idea

An inspiring figure or coaches propose an innovative concept pledging a panacea for struggling players.

And so it goes. Preparations are underway to confront the system overseas. Tensions are rising. Smoke is rising from within. One individual, exposed, anxious, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT written on his body in chicken blood, has come staggering through the lines and is taken aside with discretion towards an inconclusive loan stint in county cricket.

Do you ever miss the start, when optimism reigned? The initial phase, of Bazball without brains.

2. Love-Bombing

Cult leaders offer a new start, a brighter tomorrow, love, redemption together with shared faith in the big idea.

What was this thing initially? A team united enjoying success. Body art. Forearms. Focus. Elite male wellness energy. Oh sure, The squad insist Bazball doesn’t actually exist, ironically as it’s denied, what did we see?

Yet it’s clear the concept. It’s the batsman playing a shot so depraved it’s beyond belief. It’s the adrenaline of Ben Stokes at his peak, a look that says: focused titan, rugged appearance, hair woven from beaver hide, so authentically Modern Savage you half-expect to notice and find him positioned in the field bare-chested holding a fish.

It’s the opener still being allowed speaking publicly, resembling a cheerful animal formally attired, uttering phrases such as we’re breaking down traditions. And yes, the atmosphere, for a significant period, was only good energy.

3. The Growth Phase

Growth phase. Togetherness strengthened by rote learning of key phrases. These ideas may seem irrational as a test of “true belief”.

Is it just me? The criticism, the outrage, the sense of betrayal after the first Ashes Test defeat seems too strong, overdone. The performance was poor on the field, as history shows. They were dominated while bowling during a brief period as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, outplayed by the opponent playing aggressively but smarter, responsive to the situation, a man playing with aura.

And now we have this the attacks, the frustration, the perception of the team as a kind of abomination. The consensus is that defeat must be total, they need to lose righteously, to be cleansed, obliterated, overwhelmed via traditional methods of the pace attack, the conventional tactics of the bowler, seen enjoying his wickets with a bashful smile like he’s just been given a nice new fishing rod. How will they respond?

4. Hate Bonding

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

The fact remains, approaching the next match, we’ve entered a delicious point of tension in the lifespan of this approach. England could quite easily win in the next Test through aggressive play. Alternatively, failure may follow. In case of defeat it appears we could be witnessing the final stage.

Ahead of this, there are two things worth saying regarding this. Previously, during the initial excitement, of passion and hope, an piece was published suggesting Bazball was a cult. Criticism followed, which was helpful since it’s clear the best way of proving that it’s not a closed group is should followers send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages objecting to the questioning of its truths.

What has happened lately are fascinating. Criticism of the approach has now become the cult. Online outrage is widespread, critical analysts, shots of angry middle-aged travelling fans missing out on play, similar to people wanting fairness.

On the other hand, there is the broader context of Australia’s more nuanced more culturally hard-wired exasperation with the aggressive tourists, claiming, the methods you value and have fostered and nurtured as part of your identity from others, 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 group, an elite gathering, a closed world with two hundred years of opaque and ritualistic cult history supporting it. Historically, this was where entry is limited. It’s the imperial sport of the British, the pioneering brand. And surprisingly, the nation has its own culture, a system of unknown levels, a monarchy still exists.

England’s cricketers have been enclosed in this system since childhood. In trying to escape from it, to create a less brutal environment, they are mirroring their own experience, forming a new circle, a closed circle, but now with a modern squad and a coach who wants you to be yourself provided you conform.

Focus on the moment. Embrace challenges. Despite efforts, things stay similar.

Reflecting on this, now is the time to have some sympathy for the approach, to appreciate its good points, of which there are many. How to define it? Promoting liberation. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with