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The Journey of a Phenomenon tends to be defined by specific steps.

1. The Grand Vision

A dominant personality or figureheads introduce a revolutionary approach offering a solution for alienated and vulnerable people.

So here we are. They’re getting ready to storm the compound in Australia. Pressure is mounting. Signs of trouble appear from within. A lone figure, exposed, anxious, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT smeared across his chest as a statement, has come staggering through the lines and is being led away under a blanket towards an inconclusive loan stint at Derbyshire.

Do you recall the beginning, when everything was fresh? The era of early Bazball, of uninhibited aggression.

2. Love-Bombing

Cult leaders offer a new start, hope for a future, support, salvation together who all believe in the method.

What did it represent at first? Just men on a balcony enjoying success. Ink. Strength. Jawlines. Peak performance vibes. Oh sure, The squad will claim Bazball doesn’t actually exist, which is funny because if it doesn’t exist, what exactly did I just watch?

However, everyone understands what it is. It’s Harry Brook attempting a move so unconventional it defies description. It’s the excitement of the leader in ultimate mode, an expression conveying: focused titan, rugged appearance, untamed style, so authentically Modern Savage you wouldn’t be surprised to look down and see him playing at mid-off bare-chested holding a fish.

It’s the opener continuing to have permission speaking publicly, out there looking like a happy little woodland creature smartly dressed, expressing thoughts like we are actively deconstructing the orange. Certainly, the energy, initially, was entirely positive.

3. The Growth Phase

Development stage. Unity enforced by rote learning of mantras. These ideas may seem irrational as a test of “true belief”.

Is it just me? The reaction, the fury, the sense of betrayal post-defeat seems too strong, overdone. The batting collapsed in Perth, as is typical there. They were savaged defensively during a brief period as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, manipulated by the opponent playing aggressively but smarter, responsive to the situation, a performer excelling with aura.

Now there is the criticism, the rage, the view of the sport as a kind of abomination. The feeling seems to be that England don’t just need to lose, they must be humbled, to be cleansed, flame-throwered, overwhelmed by the vengeful purity of the pace attack, the simple basics of Scott Boland, seen enjoying achievements humbly similar to getting a rewarding prize. What will this do to them?

4. External Conflict

Issues emerge from failures in the plan. But the cult cannot admit errors. It begins to thrive on anger towards critics.

Ultimately, approaching the next match, we’ve entered a delicious point of tension in the journey of this approach. Victory is possible in the next Test with bold tactics. More likely, defeat could come swiftly. In case of defeat it feels like we may see the final stage.

Before that happens, there are two things worth saying on the topic. Previously, during the initial excitement, of passion and hope, a column appeared calling it a phenomenon. Criticism followed, which was helpful since it’s clear the best way of proving something definitely isn’t a cult is if supporters send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages denying scrutiny of the philosophy.

Recent events recently are equally notable. It seems that hating Bazball has turned into a movement. Social media is furious, disappointed commentators, pictures of upset supporters abroad missing out on play, like a room full of investors demanding recourse.

Meanwhile, 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 fostered and nurtured as part of your identity from the opposition, well, it’s all a bit of a gag after all.

This is the core issue. Everything is a cult. The approach was a phenomenon since the sport itself is insular. Or at least, English cricket has always been a cult, a group, an elite gathering, a closed world with centuries of opaque and ritualistic cult history defining it. This has always been where entry is limited. It’s the colonial game of the nation, the early image-makers. And surprisingly, the country is a phenomenon, a system of unknown levels, a royal family remains.

England’s cricketers have been enclosed within this world from a young age. In trying to escape from it, to build a better atmosphere, they are mirroring their upbringing, building another enclosure, a limited community, but now with a modern squad and a leader promoting authenticity if you fit the mold.

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

Reflecting on this, it is perhaps the moment to show understanding for the movement, to appreciate its good points, which are significant. What is Bazball? Creating a sense of freedom. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with