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The Life Cycle of a Phenomenon can be characterized by clear stages.

1. The Big Idea

A dominant personality or leaders propose an innovative concept pledging a cure for alienated and vulnerable people.

And so it goes. Preparations are underway to storm the compound down in Brisbane. The gunships are circling. Conflict emerges from the sidelines. A lone figure, exposed, shivering, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET displayed prominently as a statement, has stumbled from the field and is being led away under a blanket for a temporary assignment in county cricket.

Remember the start, when optimism reigned? The initial phase, of pure instinct.

2. Love-Bombing

Cult leaders promise a new start, hope for a future, support, success together united in belief in the big idea.

How did it feel back then? A team united enjoying success. Ink. Strength. Determination. Confident masculinity. Admittedly, England’s players will claim Bazball doesn’t actually exist, which is funny since it’s not recognized, what did we see?

Yet it’s clear its essence. It’s the batsman attempting a move so unconventional it defies description. It’s the adrenaline of the captain in his final form, a look that says: focused titan, beard made of wood, natural look, so authentically Modern Savage you wouldn’t be surprised to look down and notice he’s fielding at mid-off bare-chested holding a fish.

It’s the batsman continuing to have permission speaking publicly, resembling a cheerful animal in a waistcoat, expressing thoughts like we’re challenging norms. Certainly, the vibe, for a significant period, was only good energy.

3. Expansion Period

Building period. Togetherness strengthened by rote learning of key phrases. These ideas may seem irrational to prove commitment.

Is it just me? The criticism, the anger, the feeling of letdown after the first Ashes Test defeat seems too strong, too much. England batted badly during the match, as they often do in Australia. They were savaged defensively for a couple of hours as plans unraveled, carved around by the batsman playing aggressively but smarter, adjusting to the pitch, a man playing with a kind of light around him.

Currently, we see the criticism, the rage, the view of the sport as a failure. The opinion suggests that defeat must be total, they need to lose righteously, to be scoured, obliterated, overwhelmed by the vengeful purity of the bowler’s action, the low-fi orthodoxies of Scott Boland, out there celebrating achievements modestly as if receiving a nice new fishing rod. How will they respond?

4. Hate Bonding

Issues emerge because of mistakes. Yet, mistakes are denied. It begins to thrive on hatred of the outside world.

Ultimately, approaching the upcoming game, we are at a critical juncture in the lifespan of this thing. Victory is possible in the next Test with bold tactics. Probably, defeat could come swiftly. Should they fail it seems we really might be entering the final stage.

Before that happens, there are two things to note about this. More than two years ago, during the initial excitement, of optimism and energy, I wrote an article suggesting Bazball was a cult. Criticism followed, which was helpful because everyone knows a method to show lack of cult status is when its acolytes react defensively denying scrutiny of its truths.

The developments in the last few days is just as interesting. Opposition to the style has now become the cult. Online outrage is widespread, angry English pundits, shots of angry middle-aged travelling fans missing out on play, like a room full of investors demanding recourse.

On the other hand, there is the broader context of the host’s complex deep-seated frustration with the aggressive tourists, stating, your cherished traditions and have honed as one way of separating yourself from the opposition, it’s not serious ultimately.

Here lies the truth. Everything is a cult. The approach was a phenomenon because cricket is a cult. Or at least, English cricket has always been a cult, a clique, an elite gathering, a restricted environment with centuries of ceremonial past supporting it. It has long been a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the colonial game of the nation, the pioneering brand. And surprisingly, the country is a phenomenon, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a monarchy still exists.

England’s cricketers have been isolated within this world for years. Attempting to break free, to foster positivity, they are simply replicating their past, building another enclosure, a closed circle, however with 15 cool guys and a coach promoting authenticity as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Stay present. Confront risks. Despite efforts, you remain stuck.

Reflecting on this, now is the time to show understanding for the approach, to acknowledge its merits, that are numerous. What is Bazball? Encouraging expression. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with