🔗 Share this article

The Journey of a Phenomenon is often characterized by distinct phases.

1. The Big Idea

An inspiring figure or coaches introduce an innovative concept pledging a cure for disconnected individuals.

So here we are. Plans are in motion to challenge the establishment down in Brisbane. Pressure is mounting. Conflict emerges from within. A lone figure, vulnerable, anxious, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT written on his body as a symbol, has stumbled from the field and is being led away under a blanket for a temporary assignment elsewhere.

Do you ever miss the start, when everything was fresh? The era of early Bazball, of uninhibited aggression.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Cult leaders guarantee a new start, a brighter tomorrow, camaraderie, redemption among a group who all believe in the philosophy.

How did it feel initially? A team united feeling good. Body art. Muscles. Focus. Peak performance vibes. Admittedly, The team will claim Bazball doesn’t actually exist, amusingly because if it doesn’t exist, what did we see?

But we know its essence. It’s the batsman attempting a move so unconventional it defies description. It’s the excitement of Ben Stokes in his final form, a look that says: thoughtful warrior, beard made of wood, untamed style, truly contemporary you half-expect to look down and find him positioned in the field stripped to the waist holding a fish.

It’s Ben Duckett continuing to have permission speaking publicly, out there looking like a happy little woodland creature formally attired, uttering phrases such as we are actively deconstructing the orange. And yes, the energy, for quite a long time, was uplifting.

3. Expansion Period

Growth phase. Cohesion maintained via memorization of mantras. These beliefs may seem irrational to prove commitment.

Does anyone else feel? The reaction, the anger, the disappointment after the first Ashes Test defeat seems too strong, unwarranted. The batting collapsed on the field, as they often do in Australia. They were torn apart while bowling for a couple of hours as plans unraveled, outplayed by the opponent batting like England but better, responsive to the situation, an athlete shining with aura.

And now we have this the pile-on, the rage, the perception of the team as a failure. The consensus is that England don’t just need to lose, they should be dismantled, to be cleansed, flame-throwered, destroyed through sheer skill of the pace attack, the conventional tactics of Scott Boland, out there celebrating successes modestly as if receiving a nice new fishing rod. What impact will this have?

4. The Backlash Phase

Problems arise due to setbacks. Yet, mistakes are denied. It turns to hostility externally.

The fact remains, half a week out the upcoming game, we have now reached a delicious point of tension in the journey of this movement. They might succeed overseas with bold tactics. More likely, failure may follow. Should they fail it appears we could be witnessing the death cult phase.

Prior to that, several aspects worth saying about this. In the past, during the initial excitement, of optimism and energy, I wrote an article suggesting Bazball was a cult. There was outrage, which was helpful as it’s known how to confirm lack of cult status is when its acolytes react defensively objecting to the questioning of its truths.

Recent events in the last few days are equally notable. Criticism of the approach has turned into a movement. Online outrage is widespread, critical analysts, shots of angry middle-aged followers overseas cheated out of three days of cricket, like a room full of investors demanding recourse.

Conversely, we have the wider backdrop of the opponent’s mixed ingrained annoyance towards the unconventional visitors, claiming, your cherished traditions and have fostered and nurtured to distinguish yourselves from the opposition, it’s not serious after all.

And this is the real point. All movements are similar. Bazball was a cult since the sport itself is insular. Or at least, the team has long been exclusive, a group, a private event, an insular community with centuries of ceremonial past supporting it. Historically, this was where influence is guarded. It’s the colonial game of the British, the original sports washers. And guess what, the country is a phenomenon, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a place that literally still has a king.

England’s cricketers have been enclosed in this system for years. In trying to escape from it, to foster positivity, they are mirroring their past, creating another a bubble, an exclusive group, however with a new team and a mentor encouraging individuality if you fit the mold.

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

Reflecting on this, it is perhaps the moment to offer compassion for Bazball, to acknowledge its merits, of which there are many. What is Bazball? Promoting liberation. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with