🔗 Share this article

The Life Cycle of a Cult can be defined by specific steps.

1. The Core Concept

A charismatic leader or figureheads propose a new and transcendent idea pledging a cure for struggling players.

So here we are. Plans are in motion to confront the system down in Brisbane. The gunships are circling. Signs of trouble appear from within. A lone figure, naked, anxious, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT written on his body in chicken blood, has come staggering into view and is taken aside in secrecy towards an inconclusive loan stint at Derbyshire.

Do you recall the start, when everything was fresh? The days of Bazball 1.0, of pure instinct.

2. Love-Bombing

Team architects guarantee a reboot, a brighter tomorrow, love, salvation together with shared faith in the philosophy.

What did it represent at first? A team united enjoying success. Ink. Forearms. Jawlines. Peak performance vibes. Of course, The squad insist it’s not a real term, ironically as it’s denied, what did we see?

Yet it’s clear what it is. It’s the player executing a stroke so depraved it defies description. It’s the adrenaline of Ben Stokes in his final form, a look that says: thoughtful warrior, beard made of wood, hair woven from beaver hide, so authentically Modern Savage you almost imagine to notice and notice he’s fielding on the ground shirtless and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s the batsman still being allowed addressing the media, appearing as a joyful figure formally attired, uttering phrases such as we are actively deconstructing the orange. And yes, the energy, for quite a long time, was entirely positive.

3. The Growth Phase

Building period. Togetherness strengthened by rote learning of mantras. These principles can appear contradictory as a test of “true belief”.

Am I alone? The criticism, the anger, the sense of betrayal post-defeat appears excessive, unwarranted. The batting collapsed on the field, as history shows. They were torn apart in the field for a couple of hours as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, carved around by Travis Head playing aggressively but smarter, responsive to the situation, a man playing with aura.

Now there is the pile-on, the anger, the view of the sport as a disgrace. The feeling seems to be that defeat must be total, they should be dismantled, to be scoured, flame-throwered, defeated through sheer skill of the pace attack, the low-fi orthodoxies of the veteran, seen enjoying his wickets modestly similar to getting a pleasant gift. How will they respond?

4. External Conflict

Problems arise due to setbacks. However, faults are ignored. It turns to hatred of the outside world.

Ultimately, a few days before the upcoming game, we’ve entered a critical juncture in the lifespan of this movement. They might succeed overseas with bold tactics. Probably, they could lose just as quickly. And if they do lose it feels like we really might be entering the decline.

Ahead of this, there are two things to note on the topic. More than two years ago, during the initial excitement, of optimism and energy, a column appeared suggesting Bazball was a cult. There was outrage, which proved the point because everyone knows the best way of proving something definitely isn’t a cult is should followers react defensively objecting to the questioning of its truths.

Recent events recently is just as interesting. Criticism of the approach is now the trend. Social media is furious, critical analysts, shots of angry middle-aged travelling fans missing out on play, reminiscent of investors demanding recourse.

On the other hand, exists the larger scene of Australia’s more nuanced ingrained annoyance towards the unconventional visitors, out there saying, the methods you value and have honed to distinguish yourselves culturally from us, well, it’s all a bit of a gag in the end old boy.

This is the core issue. Everything is a cult. Bazball was a cult since the sport itself is insular. In fact, the team has long been exclusive, a group, a garden party, a closed world with a long history of ceremonial past defining it. It has long been where influence is guarded. It’s the imperial sport of the nation, the early image-makers. And guess what, the country is a phenomenon, a structure of hidden ranks, a place that literally still has a king.

The team have been enclosed in this system for years. In trying to escape from it, to build a better atmosphere, they are simply replicating their upbringing, building another enclosure, a closed circle, but now with a modern squad and a leader promoting authenticity if you fit the mold.

Live where your feet are. Confront risks. But no matter how fast and far you run, things stay similar.

Considering this, it is perhaps the moment to offer compassion for the movement, to acknowledge its merits, of which there are many. What is Bazball? Encouraging expression. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with