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The Life Cycle of a Phenomenon is often marked by clear stages.

1. The Core Concept

A charismatic leader or coaches propose a new and transcendent idea that promises a cure for struggling players.

Thus we find ourselves. They’re getting ready to challenge the establishment overseas. Pressure is mounting. Signs of trouble appear from the sidelines. One individual, exposed, shivering, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT smeared across his chest as a statement, has come staggering through the lines and is being led away under a blanket for a temporary assignment at Derbyshire.

Do you recall the start, when everything was fresh? The initial phase, of Bazball without brains.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Movement founders promise a reboot, a brighter tomorrow, love, salvation among a group united in belief in the philosophy.

What was this thing at first? Players celebrating feeling good. Tattoos. Muscles. Jawlines. Confident masculinity. Oh sure, The team insist it’s not a real term, ironically as it’s denied, what exactly did I just watch?

However, everyone understands what it is. It’s the batsman attempting a move so outrageous it’s beyond belief. It’s the adrenaline of the captain in his final form, a demeanor suggesting: pensive Nordic god, strong features, untamed style, genuinely raw you wouldn’t be surprised to glance over and see him playing in the field shirtless embracing nature.

It’s the opener still being allowed to talk in press conferences, out there looking like a happy little woodland creature smartly dressed, expressing thoughts like we are actively deconstructing the orange. And yes, the atmosphere, initially, was only good energy.

3. A New Life

Growth phase. Unity enforced via memorization of mantras. These ideas can appear contradictory as a loyalty check.

Does anyone else feel? The reaction, the outrage, the feeling of letdown after the first Ashes Test defeat appears excessive, overdone. The performance was poor in Perth, as they often do in Australia. They were torn apart defensively in a short span when tactics failed, carved around by the batsman playing aggressively but smarter, adaptive to conditions, a performer excelling with a kind of light around him.

Currently, we see the pile-on, the anger, the sense of English Test cricket as a kind of abomination. The feeling seems to be that losing isn’t enough, they must be humbled, to be cleansed, flame-throwered, defeated by the vengeful purity of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the simple basics of the veteran, marking his wickets humbly as if receiving a pleasant gift. What will this do to them?

4. The Backlash Phase

Problems arise because of mistakes. However, faults are ignored. It begins to thrive on anger towards critics.

In truth, a few days before the next match, we have now reached an intriguing moment in the journey of this thing. England could quite easily win in the next Test in a blur of adrenal disruption. Probably, failure may follow. In case of defeat it feels like we really might be entering the final stage.

Before that happens, several aspects to consider about this. In the past, back in those heady early days, of passion and hope, a column appeared calling it a phenomenon. Criticism followed, which was helpful as it’s known how to confirm lack of cult status is when its acolytes send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages rejecting criticism of the philosophy.

The developments recently are equally notable. Criticism of the approach has now become the cult. We have a uniformly angry internet, disappointed commentators, shots of angry middle-aged travelling fans disappointed by the short match, reminiscent of investors demanding recourse.

Conversely, there is the broader context of the opponent’s mixed deep-seated frustration with the aggressive tourists, stating, the methods you value and have honed as one way of separating yourself culturally from us, it’s not serious after all.

This is the core issue. It’s all cults. 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, an insular community with centuries of tradition and mystery behind it. This has always been where influence is guarded. It’s the imperial sport of the nation, the early image-makers. And guess what, Britain is itself a cult, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a royal family remains.

The team have been enclosed in this system 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 leader promoting authenticity provided you conform.

Stay present. Run towards the danger. But no matter how fast and far you run, you remain stuck.

With this mind, now is the time to show understanding for the movement, to recognize its positives, that are numerous. What is Bazball? Creating a sense of freedom. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with