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

1. The Core Concept

A charismatic leader or coaches introduce a revolutionary approach pledging a cure for alienated and vulnerable people.

And so it goes. Preparations are underway to challenge the establishment overseas. Tensions are rising. Conflict emerges from the sidelines. One individual, vulnerable, anxious, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT written on his body as a statement, has come staggering from the field and is removed under a blanket to a different team elsewhere.

Do you ever miss the early days, when optimism reigned? The days of Bazball 1.0, of pure instinct.

2. Initial Adoration

Cult leaders offer a fresh beginning, optimism ahead, support, success together with shared faith in the method.

What was this thing back then? Players celebrating enjoying success. Tattoos. Muscles. Determination. Confident masculinity. Of course, England’s players often say Bazball doesn’t actually exist, ironically since it’s not recognized, what did we see?

But we know the concept. It’s the batsman attempting a move so depraved it defies description. It’s the excitement of the leader in ultimate mode, a look that says: focused titan, rugged appearance, natural look, genuinely raw you almost imagine to look down and notice he’s fielding on the ground stripped to the waist embracing nature.

It’s the batsman still being allowed addressing the media, resembling a happy little woodland creature in a waistcoat, uttering phrases such as we’re breaking down traditions. And yes, the vibe, for quite a long time, was entirely positive.

3. A New Life

Growth phase. Unity enforced via memorization of mantras. These ideas may seem irrational as a test of “true belief”.

Is it just me? The backlash, the anger, the sense of betrayal post-defeat seems too strong, overdone. England batted badly during the match, as is typical there. They were dominated while bowling in a short span when tactics failed, manipulated by the opponent playing aggressively but smarter, adjusting to the pitch, a performer excelling with aura.

Now there is the attacks, the frustration, the sense of English Test cricket as a kind of abomination. The opinion suggests that defeat must be total, they should be dismantled, to be purged, destroyed, destroyed by the vengeful purity of the pace attack, the conventional tactics of the veteran, marking his wickets humbly as if receiving a rewarding prize. How will they respond?

4. External Conflict

Problems arise because of mistakes. Yet, mistakes are denied. It begins to thrive on hostility externally.

Ultimately, a few days before the upcoming game, we have now reached a delicious point of tension in the lifespan of this thing. Victory is possible overseas in a blur of adrenal disruption. Probably, defeat could come swiftly. In case of defeat it feels like we may see the final stage.

Prior to that, there are two things to note on the topic. In the past, during the initial excitement, of light and heat, I wrote an article labeling it a movement. People were very angry, which proved the point since it’s clear the best way of proving something definitely isn’t a cult is when its acolytes send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages objecting to the questioning of its truths.

Recent events in the last few days is just as interesting. Criticism of the approach has now become the cult. Online outrage is widespread, critical analysts, pictures of upset followers overseas disappointed by the short match, like a room full of investors demanding recourse.

Meanwhile, there is the broader context of the host’s complex ingrained annoyance towards the unconventional visitors, claiming, hey, that thing you love and have fostered and nurtured as part of your identity from the opposition, well, it’s all a bit of a gag ultimately.

This is the core issue. It’s all cults. Bazball was a cult because cricket is a cult. In fact, English cricket has always been a cult, a circle, a private event, a closed world with a long history of opaque and ritualistic cult history defining it. This has always been where influence is guarded. It’s the imperial sport of England, the original sports washers. And surprisingly, the nation has its own culture, a system of unknown levels, a place that literally still has a king.

The team have been enclosed in this environment from a young age. Attempting to break free, to create a less brutal environment, they are mirroring their past, forming a new circle, an exclusive group, but doing it this time with a new team and a mentor who wants you to be yourself as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Stay present. Confront risks. However much you change, things stay similar.

Considering this, it is perhaps the moment to show understanding for the approach, to appreciate its good points, that are numerous. How to define it? Promoting liberation. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with