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The Journey of a Phenomenon is often characterized by clear stages.

1. The Core Concept

An inspiring figure or leaders introduce a revolutionary approach offering a cure for alienated and vulnerable people.

And so it goes. Preparations are underway to confront the system down in Brisbane. Pressure is mounting. Conflict emerges from the sidelines. A lone figure, naked, shivering, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT written on his body in chicken blood, has come staggering from the field and is being led away under a blanket towards an inconclusive loan stint elsewhere.

Remember the beginning, when everything was fresh? The days of Bazball 1.0, of pure instinct.

2. Initial Adoration

Movement founders offer a fresh beginning, optimism ahead, camaraderie, success within a community who all believe in the philosophy.

What was this thing initially? Just men on a balcony basking in glory. Body art. Strength. Focus. Confident masculinity. Oh sure, England’s players insist it’s not a real term, amusingly as it’s denied, what was that spectacle?

However, everyone understands the concept. It’s the player executing a stroke so outrageous it has to be pixelated. It’s the thrill of Ben Stokes in his final form, a demeanor suggesting: thoughtful warrior, strong features, hair woven from beaver hide, truly contemporary you almost imagine to glance over and see him playing on the ground bare-chested embracing nature.

It’s the opener still being allowed to talk in press conferences, out there looking like a happy little woodland creature formally attired, uttering phrases such as we are actively deconstructing the orange. And yes, the atmosphere, for a significant period, was only good energy.

3. Expansion Period

Development stage. Unity enforced by rote learning of mantras. These principles are often illogical to prove commitment.

Is it just me? The criticism, the outrage, the sense of betrayal after the first Ashes Test defeat appears excessive, overdone. The performance was poor on the field, as they often do in Australia. They were savaged defensively during a brief period as plans unraveled, outplayed by the batsman playing aggressively but smarter, adjusting to the pitch, a man playing with a kind of light around him.

Now there is the criticism, the anger, the sense of English Test cricket as a kind of abomination. The consensus is that defeat must be total, they must be humbled, to be cleansed, flame-throwered, destroyed through sheer skill of the bowler’s action, the low-fi orthodoxies of the bowler, out there celebrating his wickets modestly similar to getting a pleasant gift. What will this do to them?

4. The Backlash Phase

Issues emerge because of mistakes. But the cult cannot admit errors. It begins to thrive on hatred of the outside world.

In truth, a few days before the next match, we’ve entered a delicious point of tension in the lifespan of this approach. They might succeed in Brisbane through aggressive play. More likely, failure may follow. In case of defeat it seems we could be witnessing the death cult phase.

Prior to that, a couple of points to note about this. More than two years ago, at the start, of light and heat, a column appeared suggesting Bazball was a cult. People were very angry, which was helpful as it’s known how to confirm lack of cult status is if supporters react defensively rejecting criticism of the beliefs.

What has happened recently is just as interesting. Opposition to the style is now the trend. We have a uniformly angry internet, angry English pundits, pictures of upset supporters abroad disappointed by the short match, similar to people wanting fairness.

Conversely, there is the broader context of the host’s complex ingrained annoyance at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, out there saying, hey, that thing you love and have developed as part of your identity culturally from us, it’s just a joke ultimately.

Here lies the truth. Everything is a cult. Bazball was a cult since the sport itself is insular. Or at least, English cricket has always been a cult, a group, an elite gathering, a restricted environment with centuries of opaque and ritualistic cult history supporting it. Historically, this was where entry is limited. It’s the British pastime of England, the early image-makers. And guess what, the nation has its own culture, a structure of hidden ranks, a monarchy still exists.

The players have been enclosed in this environment for years. In trying to escape from it, to create a less brutal environment, they are mirroring their upbringing, creating another a bubble, a closed circle, but doing it this time with a modern squad and a mentor promoting authenticity if you fit the mold.

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

Considering this, it is perhaps the moment to offer compassion for Bazball, to recognize its positives, that are numerous. How to define it? Encouraging expression. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with