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The Life Cycle of a Cult can be marked by distinct phases.

1. The Big Idea

A charismatic leader or coaches present an innovative concept that promises a panacea for alienated and vulnerable people.

Thus we find ourselves. Plans are in motion to confront the system down in Brisbane. The gunships are circling. Conflict emerges from the out-houses. A lone figure, vulnerable, nervous, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET written on his body as a symbol, has stumbled through the lines and is removed under a blanket to a different team in county cricket.

Do you ever miss the early days, when optimism reigned? The initial phase, of pure instinct.

2. Love-Bombing

Cult leaders guarantee a fresh beginning, hope for a future, love, success among a group united in belief in the philosophy.

What did it represent back then? A team united basking in glory. Ink. Strength. Focus. Peak performance vibes. Oh sure, The squad will claim they don’t use the label, which is funny since it’s not recognized, what exactly did I just watch?

But we know its essence. It’s the player attempting a move so unconventional it has to be pixelated. It’s the thrill of the leader at his peak, a demeanor suggesting: focused titan, strong features, untamed style, genuinely raw you almost imagine to look down and find him positioned on the ground stripped to the waist and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s the opener still being allowed speaking publicly, appearing as a joyful figure in a waistcoat, expressing thoughts like we’re challenging norms. Indeed, the energy, for quite a long time, was entirely positive.

3. A New Life

Growth phase. Cohesion maintained through repetition of the cult’s slogans. These principles may seem irrational to prove commitment.

Am I alone? The reaction, the outrage, the feeling of letdown following the initial loss feels overblown, too much. England batted badly during the match, as they often do in Australia. They were dominated while bowling in a short span as plans unraveled, manipulated by Travis Head playing aggressively but smarter, adaptive to conditions, a man playing with a kind of light around him.

Currently, we see the pile-on, the rage, the perception of the team as a disgrace. The consensus is that England don’t just need to lose, they must be humbled, to be cleansed, destroyed, destroyed through sheer skill of the pace attack, the simple basics of the bowler, out there celebrating his wickets humbly similar to getting a nice new fishing rod. What impact will this have?

4. External Conflict

Challenges surface because of mistakes. However, faults are ignored. It begins to thrive on anger towards critics.

Ultimately, a few days before the upcoming game, we’ve entered an intriguing moment in the lifespan of this approach. England could quite easily win in Brisbane through aggressive play. Alternatively, failure may follow. Should they fail it appears we may see the decline.

Ahead of this, several aspects to note on the topic. More than two years ago, at the start, of passion and hope, I wrote an article calling it a phenomenon. Criticism followed, which demonstrated because everyone knows the best way of proving something definitely isn’t a cult is if supporters react defensively rejecting criticism of the philosophy.

Recent events lately are equally notable. Criticism of the approach is now the trend. We have a uniformly angry internet, disappointed commentators, shots of angry middle-aged followers overseas cheated out of three days of cricket, reminiscent of people wanting fairness.

Conversely, exists the larger scene of the opponent’s mixed more culturally hard-wired exasperation at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, out there saying, your cherished traditions and have honed as one way of separating yourself from the opposition, it’s not serious ultimately.

And this is the real point. All movements are similar. Bazball was a cult as the game has its own culture. Or at least, the sport in England is closed, a clique, a garden party, an insular community with a long history of ceremonial past supporting it. Historically, this was a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the British pastime of the British, the original sports washers. And guess what, Britain is itself a cult, a structure of hidden ranks, a monarchy still exists.

The team have been enclosed in this system for years. Seeking change, to create a less brutal environment, they are just repeating their upbringing, building another enclosure, a closed circle, but now with 15 cool guys and a mentor promoting authenticity provided you conform.

Stay present. Run towards the danger. However much you change, you’re always basically in the same place.

With this mind, it might be appropriate to offer compassion for Bazball, to recognize its positives, of which there are many. What is Bazball? Encouraging expression. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with