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The Life Cycle of a Phenomenon can be defined by distinct phases.

1. The Big Idea

A charismatic leader or coaches introduce a new and transcendent idea pledging a solution for struggling players.

And so it goes. Preparations are underway to storm the compound overseas. Pressure is mounting. Smoke is rising from within. One individual, naked, anxious, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT displayed prominently as a statement, has stumbled into view and is being led away under a blanket for a temporary assignment elsewhere.

Remember the beginning, when the world was still young? The initial phase, of pure instinct.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Movement founders offer a reboot, optimism ahead, camaraderie, salvation together who all believe in the method.

What did it represent back then? Players celebrating feeling good. Ink. Strength. Focus. Peak performance vibes. Oh sure, England’s players will claim they don’t use the label, which is funny as it’s denied, what was that spectacle?

Yet it’s clear its essence. It’s the player attempting a move so outrageous it defies description. It’s the excitement of the captain in his final form, a look that says: pensive Nordic god, beard made of wood, natural look, truly contemporary you half-expect to glance over and find him positioned at mid-off stripped to the waist and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s the batsman continuing to have permission addressing the media, appearing as a joyful figure formally attired, saying stuff like we’re challenging norms. Indeed, the vibe, initially, was entirely positive.

3. The Growth Phase

Growth phase. Togetherness strengthened by rote learning of mantras. These beliefs are often illogical as a test of “true belief”.

Is it just me? The backlash, the anger, the feeling of letdown following the initial loss seems too strong, too much. England batted badly on the field, as is typical there. They were torn apart while bowling for a couple of hours when tactics failed, manipulated by the batsman batting like England but better, adaptive to conditions, a performer excelling with brilliance.

And now we have this the pile-on, the frustration, the sense of English Test cricket as a disgrace. The opinion suggests that England don’t just need to lose, they need to lose righteously, to be purged, flame-throwered, overwhelmed by the vengeful purity of the bowler’s action, the conventional tactics of the veteran, seen enjoying achievements with a bashful smile like he’s just been given a rewarding prize. What will this do to them?

4. Hate Bonding

Problems arise from failures in the plan. Yet, mistakes are denied. It begins to thrive on anger towards critics.

The fact remains, a few days before from the second Test, we have now reached a delicious point of tension in the lifespan of this movement. They might succeed in the next Test with bold tactics. Alternatively, they could lose just as quickly. Should they fail it appears we really might be entering the final stage.

Before that happens, a couple of points to note on the topic. Previously, during the initial excitement, of light and heat, a column appeared suggesting Bazball was a cult. There was outrage, which demonstrated because everyone knows the best way of proving something definitely isn’t a cult is when its acolytes send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages rejecting criticism of its truths.

The developments in the last few days are fascinating. It seems that hating Bazball has now become the cult. Social media is furious, critical analysts, images of frustrated followers overseas missing out on play, reminiscent of people wanting fairness.

On the other hand, there is the broader context of Australia’s more nuanced deep-seated frustration with the aggressive tourists, claiming, the methods you value and have fostered and nurtured to distinguish yourselves from others, it’s just a joke after all.

This is the core issue. It’s all cults. The approach was a phenomenon as the game has its own culture. Or rather, the team has long been exclusive, a circle, an elite gathering, an insular community with centuries of tradition and mystery behind it. This has always been where entry is limited. It’s the British pastime of the nation, the original sports washers. And notably, the nation has its own culture, a system of unknown levels, a royal family remains.

The team have been sealed up within this world since childhood. Seeking change, to foster positivity, they are simply replicating their upbringing, forming a new circle, a closed circle, but now with 15 cool guys and a leader encouraging individuality if you fit the mold.

Stay present. Confront risks. However much you change, you’re always basically in the same place.

Reflecting on this, now is the time to have some sympathy for the movement, to appreciate its good points, that are numerous. How to define it? Promoting liberation. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with