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The Journey of a Phenomenon can be characterized by specific steps.

1. The Big Idea

An inspiring figure or leaders present an innovative concept offering a panacea for disconnected individuals.

And so it goes. Preparations are underway to confront the system overseas. The gunships are circling. Signs of trouble appear from the sidelines. One individual, vulnerable, shivering, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET displayed prominently as a symbol, has emerged from the field and is being led away with discretion to a different team in county cricket.

Do you recall the beginning, when the world was still young? The era of early Bazball, of uninhibited aggression.

2. Love-Bombing

Team architects guarantee a new start, a brighter tomorrow, camaraderie, redemption together with shared faith in the big idea.

How did it feel back then? Players celebrating basking in glory. Ink. Strength. Determination. Peak performance vibes. Oh sure, The team insist 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 Harry Brook playing a shot so depraved it has to be pixelated. It’s the thrill of the leader in ultimate mode, an expression conveying: pensive Nordic god, strong features, hair woven from beaver hide, truly contemporary you half-expect to glance over and find him positioned in the field stripped to the waist holding a fish.

It’s Ben Duckett continuing to have permission speaking publicly, appearing as a joyful figure in a waistcoat, saying stuff like we are actively deconstructing the orange. Indeed, the vibe, initially, was uplifting.

3. The Growth Phase

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

Am I alone? The backlash, the anger, the feeling of letdown post-defeat seems too strong, unwarranted. England batted badly in Perth, as is typical there. They were savaged defensively for a couple of hours when tactics failed, manipulated by the batsman playing aggressively but smarter, responsive to the situation, a man playing with a kind of light around him.

And now we have this the criticism, the anger, the perception of the team as a kind of abomination. The feeling seems to be that England don’t just need to lose, they must be humbled, to be purged, obliterated, destroyed through sheer skill of the bowler’s action, the conventional tactics of Scott Boland, seen enjoying achievements humbly like he’s just been given a pleasant gift. What impact will this have?

4. Hate Bonding

Issues emerge due to setbacks. Yet, mistakes are denied. It turns to hostility externally.

The fact remains, a few days before from the second Test, 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. More likely, they could lose just as quickly. In case of defeat it feels like we really might be entering the decline.

Prior to that, a couple of points to note on the topic. More than two years ago, at the start, of optimism and energy, I wrote an article calling it a phenomenon. There was outrage, which proved the point as it’s known the best way of proving lack of cult status is should followers react defensively objecting to the questioning of its truths.

The developments in the last few days is just as interesting. It seems that hating Bazball is now the trend. We have a uniformly angry internet, critical analysts, pictures of upset travelling fans cheated out of three days of cricket, reminiscent of timeshare owners seeking justice.

Meanwhile, exists the larger scene of Australia’s more nuanced more culturally hard-wired exasperation towards the unconventional visitors, claiming, the methods you value and have fostered and nurtured to distinguish yourselves from others, well, it’s all a bit of a gag after all.

Here lies the truth. Everything is a cult. The approach was a phenomenon as the game has its own culture. Or at least, the sport in England is closed, a circle, a private event, a restricted environment with centuries of tradition and mystery defining it. This has always been a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the colonial game of England, the original sports washers. And notably, the nation has its own culture, a structure of hidden ranks, a monarchy still exists.

The players have been isolated in this system for years. Seeking change, to create a less brutal environment, they are simply replicating their past, forming a new circle, an exclusive group, but now with a modern squad and a mentor promoting authenticity as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Stay present. Confront risks. Despite efforts, things stay similar.

Considering this, it is perhaps the moment to have some sympathy for Bazball, to acknowledge its merits, of which there are many. What is Bazball? Encouraging expression. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with