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The Journey of a Phenomenon is often characterized by specific steps.

1. The Core Concept

A dominant personality or leaders propose a revolutionary approach offering a solution for alienated and vulnerable people.

And so it goes. Plans are in motion to confront the system down in Brisbane. The gunships are circling. Conflict emerges from within. A lone figure, exposed, nervous, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT smeared across his chest in chicken blood, has emerged through the lines and is removed in secrecy for a temporary assignment elsewhere.

Do you ever miss the early days, when everything was fresh? The initial phase, of uninhibited aggression.

2. Initial Adoration

Cult leaders offer a fresh beginning, optimism ahead, camaraderie, redemption within a community united in belief in the philosophy.

What was this thing initially? Players celebrating feeling good. Tattoos. Muscles. Focus. Confident masculinity. Of course, The squad will claim they don’t use the label, which is funny as it’s denied, what exactly did I just watch?

Yet it’s clear the concept. It’s Harry Brook playing a shot so outrageous it has to be pixelated. It’s the excitement of the leader in ultimate mode, a demeanor suggesting: thoughtful warrior, rugged appearance, untamed style, truly contemporary you almost imagine to look down and see him playing in the field shirtless embracing nature.

It’s the batsman often seen to talk in press conferences, resembling a joyful figure formally attired, saying stuff like we’re breaking down traditions. And yes, the energy, for a significant period, was entirely positive.

3. A New Life

Growth phase. Cohesion maintained via memorization of mantras. These ideas can appear contradictory as a test of “true belief”.

Am I alone? The criticism, the outrage, the sense of betrayal following the initial loss appears excessive, unwarranted. The batting collapsed on the field, as is typical there. They were savaged in the field for a couple of hours as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, outplayed by the batsman batting like England but better, responsive to the situation, a man playing with aura.

Currently, we see the pile-on, the frustration, the view of the sport as a disgrace. The opinion suggests that defeat must be total, they should be dismantled, to be cleansed, flame-throwered, defeated through sheer skill of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the low-fi orthodoxies of Scott Boland, marking achievements with a bashful smile as if receiving a pleasant gift. What impact will this have?

4. The Backlash Phase

Challenges surface because of mistakes. But the cult cannot admit errors. It turns to hostility externally.

Ultimately, approaching the next match, we are at an intriguing moment in the lifespan of this approach. They might succeed in the next Test in a blur of adrenal disruption. More likely, defeat could come swiftly. In case of defeat it feels like we could be witnessing the death cult phase.

Ahead of this, there are two things to note regarding this. More than two years ago, back in those heady early days, of light and heat, I wrote an article suggesting Bazball was a cult. Criticism followed, which was helpful since it’s clear a method to show that it’s not a closed group is when its acolytes respond with anger objecting to the questioning of the philosophy.

What has happened recently are equally notable. Opposition to the style has now become the cult. We have a uniformly angry internet, disappointed commentators, images of frustrated followers overseas disappointed by the short match, like a room full of timeshare owners seeking justice.

On the other hand, there is the broader context of Australia’s more nuanced ingrained annoyance with the aggressive tourists, stating, your cherished traditions and have developed to distinguish yourselves from the opposition, well, it’s all a bit of a gag in the end old boy.

Here lies the truth. It’s all cults. The approach was a phenomenon since the sport itself is insular. Or at least, the team has long been exclusive, a circle, a garden party, a restricted environment with centuries of tradition and mystery defining it. It has long been where influence is guarded. It’s the colonial game of England, the original sports washers. And surprisingly, the nation has its own culture, a structure of hidden ranks, a place that literally still has a king.

The team have been sealed up in this environment since childhood. In trying to escape from it, to build a better atmosphere, they are mirroring their past, forming a new circle, a closed circle, but now with a new team and a mentor who wants you to be yourself if you fit the mold.

Stay present. Embrace challenges. Despite efforts, things stay similar.

Reflecting on this, now is the time to show understanding for the approach, to acknowledge its merits, which are significant. How to define it? Creating a sense of freedom. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with