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The Life Cycle of a Cult is often defined by clear stages.

1. The Core Concept

A dominant personality or figureheads introduce an innovative concept that promises a solution for disconnected individuals.

And so it goes. Preparations are underway to challenge the establishment down in Brisbane. Tensions are rising. Conflict emerges from the out-houses. One individual, exposed, anxious, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT displayed prominently in chicken blood, has come staggering from the field and is taken aside in secrecy towards an inconclusive loan stint in county cricket.

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

2. Love-Bombing

Movement founders promise a new start, a brighter tomorrow, support, success together who all believe in the philosophy.

How did it feel initially? A team united basking in glory. Ink. Strength. Determination. Peak performance vibes. Oh sure, England’s players insist they don’t use the label, which is funny because if it doesn’t exist, what exactly did I just watch?

But we know what it is. It’s Harry Brook attempting a move so outrageous it’s beyond belief. It’s the adrenaline of the captain in ultimate mode, an expression conveying: focused titan, strong features, natural look, so authentically Modern Savage you almost imagine to notice and notice he’s fielding in the field shirtless and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s the batsman continuing to have permission speaking publicly, out there looking like a happy little woodland creature in a waistcoat, saying stuff like we are actively deconstructing the orange. And yes, the atmosphere, for a significant period, was uplifting.

3. The Growth Phase

Building period. Unity enforced through repetition of mantras. These principles are often illogical to prove commitment.

Does anyone else feel? The reaction, the anger, the sense of betrayal after the first Ashes Test defeat seems too strong, too much. The performance was poor on the field, as is typical there. They were torn apart defensively during a brief period when tactics failed, manipulated by the opponent playing aggressively but smarter, adaptive to conditions, a performer excelling with aura.

Now there is the attacks, the frustration, the perception of the team as a failure. The consensus is that defeat must be total, they need to lose righteously, to be scoured, flame-throwered, overwhelmed through sheer skill of the pace attack, the conventional tactics of Scott Boland, marking successes modestly similar to getting a rewarding prize. What will this do to them?

4. Hate Bonding

Problems arise because of mistakes. But the cult cannot admit errors. It starts to feed on hatred of the outside world.

Ultimately, a few days before the next match, we have now reached a delicious point of tension in the lifespan of this thing. They might succeed in Brisbane with bold tactics. Probably, failure may follow. In case of defeat it appears we may see the final stage.

Before that happens, several aspects to note about this. Previously, during the initial excitement, of light and heat, I wrote an article calling it a phenomenon. Criticism followed, which was helpful as it’s known how to confirm lack of cult status is should followers react defensively denying scrutiny of the beliefs.

The developments in the last few days are fascinating. Opposition to the style is now the trend. Online outrage is widespread, critical analysts, pictures of upset travelling fans disappointed by the short match, like a room full of investors demanding recourse.

On the other hand, there is the broader context of the opponent’s mixed more culturally hard-wired exasperation towards the unconventional visitors, out there saying, hey, that thing you love and have honed to distinguish yourselves from the opposition, well, it’s all a bit of a gag after all.

This is the core issue. All movements are similar. The approach was a phenomenon because cricket is a cult. In fact, the team has long been exclusive, a clique, a private event, a restricted environment with centuries of ceremonial past supporting it. Historically, this was where entry is limited. It’s the British pastime of the nation, the original sports washers. And surprisingly, the nation has its own culture, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a royal family remains.

England’s cricketers have been enclosed in this system for years. Seeking change, to create a less brutal environment, they are simply replicating their own experience, building another enclosure, a closed circle, but now with a new team and a mentor encouraging individuality if you fit the mold.

Live where your feet are. Embrace challenges. Despite efforts, things stay similar.

Reflecting on this, now is the time to have some sympathy for the approach, to appreciate its good points, which are significant. What does it represent? Encouraging expression. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with