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The Journey of a Cult can be characterized by specific steps.

1. The Core Concept

An inspiring figure or leaders introduce a new and transcendent idea pledging a panacea for disconnected individuals.

So here we are. Preparations are underway to storm the compound down in Brisbane. The gunships are circling. Conflict emerges from within. One individual, exposed, shivering, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT written on his body as a statement, has emerged from the field and is being led away under a blanket for a temporary assignment elsewhere.

Remember the early days, when the world was still young? The initial phase, of pure instinct.

2. Love-Bombing

Movement founders offer a fresh beginning, hope for a future, love, salvation among a group united in belief in the big idea.

What did it represent at first? Players celebrating feeling good. Ink. Muscles. Jawlines. Peak performance vibes. Of course, The squad insist it’s not a real term, amusingly as it’s denied, what was that spectacle?

But we know its essence. It’s the player playing a shot so depraved it’s beyond belief. It’s the excitement of Ben Stokes at his peak, a look that says: pensive Nordic god, strong features, hair woven from beaver hide, so authentically Modern Savage you almost imagine to notice and notice he’s fielding in the field shirtless holding a fish.

It’s the opener often seen speaking publicly, appearing as a happy little woodland creature formally attired, uttering phrases such as we’re challenging norms. Certainly, the vibe, initially, was entirely positive.

3. The Growth Phase

Development stage. Unity enforced through repetition of mantras. These principles are often illogical as a test of “true belief”.

Is it just me? The criticism, the fury, the feeling of letdown post-defeat seems too strong, too much. England batted badly in Perth, as they often do in Australia. They were dominated while bowling for a couple of hours when tactics failed, manipulated by the opponent playing aggressively but smarter, responsive to the situation, a performer excelling with aura.

Currently, we see the criticism, the rage, the perception of the team as a kind of abomination. The opinion suggests that England don’t just need to lose, they need to lose righteously, to be cleansed, destroyed, defeated by the vengeful purity of the bowler’s action, the conventional tactics of Scott Boland, marking achievements humbly like he’s just been given a rewarding prize. How will they respond?

4. External Conflict

Issues emerge because of mistakes. Yet, mistakes are denied. It begins to thrive on hatred of the outside world.

In truth, a few days before the next match, we have now reached a delicious point of tension in the story of this movement. They might succeed overseas in a blur of adrenal disruption. More likely, failure may follow. Should they fail it feels like we could be witnessing the decline.

Prior to that, several aspects worth saying regarding this. In the past, at the start, of passion and hope, I wrote an article calling it a phenomenon. There was outrage, which was helpful as it’s known how to confirm something definitely isn’t a cult is if supporters respond with anger denying scrutiny of the beliefs.

What has happened recently are fascinating. Criticism of the approach has turned into a movement. We have a uniformly angry internet, disappointed commentators, shots of angry middle-aged travelling fans disappointed by the short match, similar to people wanting fairness.

Conversely, exists the larger scene of the host’s complex deep-seated frustration at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, claiming, the methods you value and have developed as one way of separating yourself 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. Bazball was a cult as the game has its own culture. Or rather, the sport in England is closed, a group, a private event, a closed world with centuries of opaque and ritualistic cult history defining it. Historically, this was where entry is limited. It’s the imperial sport of the nation, the pioneering brand. And notably, Britain is itself a cult, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a monarchy still exists.

The players have been sealed up in this system since childhood. In trying to escape from it, to build a better atmosphere, they are mirroring their upbringing, building another enclosure, a closed circle, however with a new team and a coach encouraging individuality if you fit the mold.

Focus on the moment. Run towards the danger. Despite efforts, you remain stuck.

Considering this, it might be appropriate to offer compassion for the approach, to acknowledge its merits, which are significant. What is Bazball? Promoting liberation. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with