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The Evolution of a Phenomenon tends to be defined by distinct phases.

1. The Core Concept

An inspiring figure or leaders present an innovative concept that promises a cure for alienated and vulnerable people.

So here we are. They’re getting ready to storm the compound overseas. Tensions are rising. Conflict emerges from the sidelines. One individual, vulnerable, nervous, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT displayed prominently in chicken blood, has emerged through the lines and is taken aside with discretion towards an inconclusive loan stint at Derbyshire.

Do you recall the start, when everything was fresh? The initial phase, of pure instinct.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Movement founders promise a fresh beginning, optimism ahead, love, redemption within a community united in belief in the philosophy.

What was this thing back then? Players celebrating feeling good. Tattoos. Muscles. Focus. Elite male wellness energy. Admittedly, England’s players often say they don’t use the label, ironically as it’s denied, what was that spectacle?

But we know its essence. It’s Harry Brook playing a shot so unconventional it’s beyond belief. It’s the thrill of Ben Stokes at his peak, a look that says: focused titan, beard made of wood, hair woven from beaver hide, so authentically Modern Savage you almost imagine to glance over and notice he’s fielding at mid-off stripped to the waist embracing nature.

It’s the batsman often seen to talk in press conferences, appearing as a happy little woodland creature smartly dressed, expressing thoughts like we’re breaking down traditions. Certainly, the energy, for a significant period, was only good energy.

3. The Growth Phase

Growth phase. Unity enforced through repetition of key phrases. These beliefs can appear contradictory as a loyalty check.

Is it just me? The criticism, the fury, the sense of betrayal after the first Ashes Test defeat seems too strong, unwarranted. England batted badly during the match, as they often do in Australia. They were savaged while bowling for a couple of hours as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, carved around by the opponent imitating their style effectively, responsive to the situation, an athlete shining with brilliance.

And now we have this the attacks, the rage, the perception of the team as a disgrace. The opinion suggests that defeat must be total, they must be humbled, to be scoured, obliterated, overwhelmed via traditional methods of the pace attack, the conventional tactics of the bowler, seen enjoying his wickets modestly similar to getting a pleasant gift. What will this do to them?

4. External Conflict

Problems arise from failures in the plan. Yet, mistakes are denied. It starts to feed on anger towards critics.

In truth, half a week out the next match, we have now reached a delicious point of tension in the story of this thing. They might succeed in the next Test with bold tactics. Alternatively, failure may follow. And if they do lose it seems we may see the death cult phase.

Ahead of this, there are two things to note about this. In the past, at the start, of optimism and energy, 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 respond with anger rejecting criticism of the philosophy.

The developments lately is just as interesting. Criticism of the approach has turned into a movement. We have a uniformly angry internet, disappointed commentators, images of frustrated travelling fans cheated out of three days of cricket, similar to people wanting fairness.

Meanwhile, we have the wider backdrop of the opponent’s mixed more culturally hard-wired exasperation towards the unconventional visitors, out there saying, hey, that thing you love and have fostered and nurtured to distinguish yourselves culturally from us, well, it’s all a bit of a gag in the end old boy.

Here lies the truth. Everything is a cult. The approach was a phenomenon because cricket is a cult. In fact, the team has long been exclusive, a group, an elite gathering, a restricted environment with two hundred years of ceremonial past supporting it. It has long been where entry is limited. It’s the colonial game of the nation, the original sports washers. And notably, the nation has its own culture, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a place that literally still has a king.

The players have been enclosed within this world from a young age. In trying to escape from it, to create a less brutal environment, they are mirroring their own experience, forming a new circle, an exclusive group, however with a modern squad and a mentor promoting authenticity if you fit the mold.

Focus on the moment. Confront risks. But no matter how fast and far you run, you’re always basically in the same place.

With this mind, it might be appropriate to offer compassion for Bazball, to acknowledge its merits, of which there are many. How to define it? Promoting liberation. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with