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The Evolution of a Movement can be defined by distinct phases.

1. The Grand Vision

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

And so it goes. Plans are in motion to challenge the establishment down in Brisbane. Tensions are rising. Signs of trouble appear from the sidelines. An isolated player, exposed, shivering, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT smeared across his chest as a statement, has emerged from the field and is taken aside in secrecy to a different team elsewhere.

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

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Cult leaders promise a fresh beginning, optimism ahead, camaraderie, success within a community who all believe in the big idea.

What was this thing at first? Just men on a balcony feeling good. Ink. Forearms. Jawlines. Peak performance vibes. Of course, England’s players will claim they don’t use the label, amusingly because if it doesn’t exist, what exactly did I just watch?

However, everyone understands its essence. It’s the batsman executing a stroke so depraved it has to be pixelated. It’s the adrenaline of the captain at his peak, a look that says: pensive Nordic god, rugged appearance, untamed style, genuinely raw you half-expect to glance over and find him positioned at mid-off shirtless embracing nature.

It’s the opener still being allowed speaking publicly, resembling a happy little woodland creature formally attired, expressing thoughts like we are actively deconstructing the orange. And yes, the atmosphere, initially, was entirely positive.

3. The Growth Phase

Development stage. Unity enforced through repetition of the cult’s slogans. These beliefs may seem irrational as a test of “true belief”.

Am I alone? The backlash, the fury, the sense of betrayal after the first Ashes Test defeat seems too strong, overdone. The batting collapsed during the match, as they often do in Australia. They were dominated in the field in a short span as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, manipulated by the batsman batting like England but better, adaptive to conditions, an athlete shining with a kind of light around him.

Now there is the attacks, the anger, the view of the sport as a disgrace. The feeling seems to be that losing isn’t enough, they must be humbled, to be scoured, flame-throwered, defeated through sheer skill of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the conventional tactics of the bowler, out there celebrating achievements with a bashful smile similar to getting a pleasant gift. How will they respond?

4. Hate Bonding

Problems arise due to setbacks. However, faults are ignored. It starts to feed on hostility externally.

The fact remains, approaching from the second Test, we are at a delicious point of tension in the journey of this movement. Victory is possible overseas in a blur of adrenal disruption. Alternatively, they could lose just as quickly. In case of defeat it seems we really might be entering the death cult phase.

Prior to that, a couple of points to note about this. More than two years ago, at the start, of optimism and energy, a column appeared suggesting Bazball was a cult. There was outrage, which demonstrated as it’s known a method to show that it’s not a closed group is should followers react defensively denying scrutiny of the philosophy.

The developments in the last few days are equally notable. Opposition to the style has now become the cult. Social media is furious, angry English pundits, images of frustrated travelling fans disappointed by the short match, reminiscent of people wanting fairness.

Conversely, there is the broader context of the host’s complex more culturally hard-wired exasperation towards the unconventional visitors, out there saying, hey, that thing you love and have honed to distinguish yourselves from others, well, it’s all a bit of a gag ultimately.

This is the core issue. All movements are similar. Bazball was a cult as the game has its own culture. Or rather, English cricket has always been a cult, a group, a private event, a restricted environment with centuries of opaque and ritualistic cult history behind it. Historically, this was where influence is guarded. It’s the colonial game of England, the early image-makers. And guess what, the nation has its own culture, a system of unknown levels, a royal family remains.

England’s cricketers have been enclosed in this system from a young age. In trying to escape from it, to create a less brutal environment, they are mirroring their past, forming a new circle, an exclusive group, but now with 15 cool guys and a coach promoting authenticity if you fit the mold.

Live where your feet are. Run towards the danger. But no matter how fast and far you run, things stay similar.

Considering this, it is perhaps the moment to show understanding for the movement, to acknowledge its merits, of which there are many. What does it represent? Promoting liberation. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with