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The Journey of a Movement is often characterized by distinct phases.

1. The Grand Vision

A dominant personality or leaders propose a new and transcendent idea pledging a solution for alienated and vulnerable people.

So here we are. Preparations are underway to challenge the establishment overseas. Tensions are rising. Signs of trouble appear from the out-houses. A lone figure, vulnerable, nervous, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT written on his body in chicken blood, has come staggering from the field and is taken aside under a blanket to a different team elsewhere.

Do you recall the start, when optimism reigned? The days of Bazball 1.0, of Bazball without brains.

2. Initial Adoration

Cult leaders guarantee a fresh beginning, hope for a future, camaraderie, redemption among a group who all believe in the big idea.

What did it represent initially? Just men on a balcony enjoying success. Body art. Strength. Focus. Elite male wellness energy. Admittedly, England’s players insist Bazball doesn’t actually exist, ironically as it’s denied, what was that spectacle?

However, everyone understands what it is. It’s the batsman attempting a move so depraved it has to be pixelated. It’s the thrill of Ben Stokes in ultimate mode, a demeanor suggesting: pensive Nordic god, strong features, untamed style, genuinely raw you almost imagine to notice and see him playing in the field bare-chested and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s Ben Duckett continuing to have permission speaking publicly, resembling a cheerful animal formally attired, expressing thoughts like we’re challenging norms. Indeed, the atmosphere, for quite a long time, was entirely positive.

3. A New Life

Development stage. Togetherness strengthened via memorization of the cult’s slogans. These principles can appear contradictory to prove commitment.

Am I alone? The reaction, the outrage, the disappointment following the initial loss feels overblown, unwarranted. England batted badly in Perth, as history shows. They were dominated in the field in a short span when tactics failed, carved around by the opponent batting like England but better, responsive to the situation, a performer excelling with brilliance.

Currently, we see the pile-on, the anger, the perception of the team as a disgrace. The consensus is that losing isn’t enough, they need to lose righteously, to be cleansed, flame-throwered, overwhelmed through sheer skill of the pace attack, the simple basics of the veteran, out there celebrating his wickets humbly similar to getting a rewarding prize. What will this do to them?

4. The Backlash Phase

Problems arise from failures in the plan. Yet, mistakes are denied. It starts to feed on hatred of the outside world.

In truth, a few days before the upcoming game, we are at a critical juncture in the journey of this movement. Victory is possible in the next Test through aggressive play. More likely, they could lose just as quickly. In case of defeat it seems we could be witnessing the death cult phase.

Ahead of this, a couple of points worth saying regarding this. Previously, during the initial excitement, of optimism and energy, I wrote an article labeling it a movement. People were very angry, which proved the point because everyone knows how to confirm that it’s not a closed group is if supporters react defensively denying scrutiny of the beliefs.

Recent events lately is just as interesting. Opposition to the style has turned into a movement. Online outrage is widespread, disappointed commentators, pictures of upset supporters abroad missing out on play, reminiscent of investors demanding recourse.

On the other hand, we have the wider backdrop of the host’s complex more culturally hard-wired exasperation towards the unconventional visitors, claiming, the methods you value and have honed as one way of separating yourself culturally from us, well, it’s all a bit of a gag in the end old boy.

Here lies the truth. It’s all cults. The style was a trend as the game has its own culture. Or rather, the team has long been exclusive, a circle, a private event, a closed world with two hundred years of opaque and ritualistic cult history defining it. Historically, this was a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the colonial game of England, the early image-makers. And notably, the country is a phenomenon, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a place that literally still has a king.

The team have been sealed up in this environment since childhood. Seeking change, to create a less brutal environment, they are simply replicating their past, creating another a bubble, an exclusive group, but now with a new team and a mentor promoting authenticity provided you conform.

Stay present. Embrace challenges. However much you change, you remain stuck.

Reflecting on this, now is the time to have some sympathy for the approach, to acknowledge its merits, which are significant. What is Bazball? Promoting liberation. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with