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The Evolution of a Cult tends to be characterized by distinct phases.

1. The Big Idea

A dominant personality or figureheads introduce a revolutionary approach that promises a panacea for alienated and vulnerable people.

Thus we find ourselves. Preparations are underway to challenge the establishment overseas. Pressure is mounting. Signs of trouble appear from the out-houses. One individual, vulnerable, anxious, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET smeared across his chest in chicken blood, has stumbled into view and is taken aside in secrecy to a different team in county cricket.

Remember the early days, when the world was still young? The era of early Bazball, of Bazball without brains.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Cult leaders promise a fresh beginning, a brighter tomorrow, love, redemption within a community with shared faith in the big idea.

How did it feel initially? Just men on a balcony basking in glory. Ink. Muscles. Jawlines. Peak performance vibes. Oh sure, The team insist it’s not a real term, amusingly since it’s not recognized, what exactly did I just watch?

But we know the concept. It’s Harry Brook playing a shot so depraved it has to be pixelated. It’s the thrill of the leader in ultimate mode, a look that says: pensive Nordic god, rugged appearance, untamed style, so authentically Modern Savage you almost imagine to glance over and notice he’s fielding in the field stripped to the waist holding a fish.

It’s Ben Duckett often seen addressing the media, resembling a joyful figure in a waistcoat, saying stuff like we’re challenging norms. Certainly, the vibe, for quite a long time, was uplifting.

3. Expansion Period

Development stage. Cohesion maintained by rote learning of key phrases. These principles are often illogical as a loyalty check.

Is it just me? The backlash, the outrage, the feeling of letdown after the first Ashes Test defeat feels overblown, overdone. The performance was poor during the match, as is typical there. They were savaged in the field for a couple of hours as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, carved around by the opponent playing aggressively but smarter, adjusting to the pitch, a man playing with aura.

And now we have this the pile-on, the rage, the sense of English Test cricket as a failure. The feeling seems to be that losing isn’t enough, they need to lose righteously, to be cleansed, obliterated, destroyed via traditional methods of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the simple basics of the bowler, out there celebrating achievements with a bashful smile as if receiving a rewarding prize. What impact will this have?

4. Hate Bonding

Problems arise from failures in the plan. However, faults are ignored. It turns to hatred of the outside world.

The fact remains, half a week out the next match, we are at a critical juncture in the story of this movement. Victory is possible in the next Test through aggressive play. Probably, they could lose just as quickly. In case of defeat it appears we really might be entering the decline.

Prior to that, several aspects worth saying regarding this. In the past, at the start, of light and heat, I wrote an article calling it a phenomenon. Criticism followed, which proved the point since it’s clear the best way of proving something definitely isn’t a cult is when its acolytes react defensively rejecting criticism of the philosophy.

What has happened lately are fascinating. Opposition to the style has turned into a movement. Social media is furious, critical analysts, images of frustrated travelling fans disappointed by the short match, similar to investors demanding recourse.

Meanwhile, exists the larger scene of the opponent’s mixed deep-seated frustration towards the unconventional visitors, claiming, the methods you value and have fostered and nurtured to distinguish yourselves from the opposition, it’s not serious in the end old boy.

And this is the real point. Everything is a cult. The approach was a phenomenon because cricket is a cult. Or rather, the sport in England is closed, a circle, a garden party, an insular community with two hundred years of ceremonial past supporting it. Historically, this was where entry is limited. It’s the imperial sport of England, the original sports washers. And notably, Britain is itself a cult, a system of unknown levels, a place that literally still has a king.

England’s cricketers have been isolated in this environment from a young age. In trying to escape from it, to create a less brutal environment, they are just repeating their upbringing, building another enclosure, a closed circle, but doing it this time with a new team and a mentor promoting authenticity as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Stay present. Run towards the danger. Despite efforts, you’re always basically in the same place.

Considering this, it is perhaps the moment to have some sympathy for the approach, to acknowledge its merits, which are significant. What does it represent? Promoting liberation. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with