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The Journey of a Phenomenon can be defined by distinct phases.

1. The Core Concept

A charismatic leader or leaders introduce a revolutionary approach that promises a solution for alienated and vulnerable people.

And so it goes. They’re getting ready to confront the system in Australia. The gunships are circling. Signs of trouble appear from the sidelines. One individual, exposed, anxious, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET displayed prominently in chicken blood, has emerged through the lines and is being led away under a blanket towards an inconclusive loan stint elsewhere.

Do you ever miss the start, when the world was still young? The initial phase, of uninhibited aggression.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Cult leaders offer a reboot, hope for a future, camaraderie, redemption within a community who all believe in the big idea.

What was this thing back then? A team united enjoying success. Body art. Forearms. Determination. Elite male wellness energy. Admittedly, The team will claim Bazball doesn’t actually exist, which is funny since it’s not recognized, what did we see?

Yet it’s clear the concept. It’s the batsman attempting a move so outrageous it’s beyond belief. It’s the thrill of Ben Stokes at his peak, a look that says: pensive Nordic god, rugged appearance, natural look, truly contemporary you wouldn’t be surprised to glance over and find him positioned in the field bare-chested and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s the batsman still being allowed to talk in press conferences, out there looking like a joyful figure smartly dressed, uttering phrases such as we are actively deconstructing the orange. Indeed, the atmosphere, for quite a long time, was entirely positive.

3. The Growth Phase

Growth phase. Togetherness strengthened by rote learning of the cult’s slogans. These beliefs can appear contradictory to prove commitment.

Does anyone else feel? The backlash, the outrage, the feeling of letdown following the initial loss appears excessive, too much. The batting collapsed in Perth, as history shows. They were savaged defensively for a couple of hours when tactics failed, manipulated by the opponent imitating their style effectively, adaptive to conditions, a performer excelling with a kind of light around him.

Now there is the criticism, the frustration, the perception of the team as a disgrace. The consensus is that England don’t just need to lose, they should be dismantled, to be cleansed, destroyed, defeated by the vengeful purity of the pace attack, the conventional tactics of the veteran, out there celebrating his wickets with a bashful smile like he’s just been given a rewarding prize. What impact will this have?

4. The Backlash Phase

Problems arise due to setbacks. However, faults are ignored. It starts to feed on hatred of the outside world.

The fact remains, a few days before from the second Test, we’ve entered a delicious point of tension in the lifespan of this movement. Victory is possible in Brisbane in a blur of adrenal disruption. Probably, they could lose just as quickly. Should they fail it feels like we may see the final stage.

Ahead of this, a couple of points to note about this. More than two years ago, during the initial excitement, of optimism and energy, an piece was published suggesting Bazball was a cult. There was outrage, which demonstrated because everyone knows the best way of proving that it’s not a closed group is if supporters send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages denying scrutiny of the philosophy.

What has happened recently are fascinating. Opposition to the style has turned into a movement. We have a uniformly angry internet, angry English pundits, pictures of upset followers overseas cheated out of three days of cricket, reminiscent of timeshare owners seeking justice.

Conversely, we have the wider backdrop of Australia’s more nuanced ingrained annoyance at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, out there saying, the methods you value and have developed as part of your identity culturally from us, well, it’s all a bit of a gag in the end old boy.

And this is the real point. Everything is a cult. The approach was a phenomenon as the game has its own culture. Or at least, the sport in England is closed, a circle, a private event, a closed world with two hundred years of ceremonial past supporting it. It has long been a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the British pastime of the British, the pioneering brand. And surprisingly, the country is a phenomenon, a system of unknown levels, a monarchy still exists.

England’s cricketers have been isolated within this world from a young age. Seeking change, to create a less brutal environment, they are mirroring their upbringing, building another enclosure, a closed circle, however with a modern squad and a coach who wants you to be yourself if you fit the mold.

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

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