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The Journey of a Phenomenon can be defined by distinct phases.

1. The Big Idea

An inspiring figure or coaches introduce a new and transcendent idea that promises a cure for alienated and vulnerable people.

Thus we find ourselves. Preparations are underway to storm the compound in Australia. The gunships are circling. Conflict emerges from within. One individual, vulnerable, shivering, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET displayed prominently in chicken blood, has emerged from the field and is taken aside in secrecy for a temporary assignment elsewhere.

Do you recall the start, when optimism reigned? The days of Bazball 1.0, of pure instinct.

2. Love-Bombing

Team architects guarantee a reboot, a brighter tomorrow, love, success together who all believe in the big idea.

How did it feel initially? A team united enjoying success. Body art. Forearms. Determination. Peak performance vibes. Admittedly, The team insist Bazball doesn’t actually exist, which is funny since it’s not recognized, what did we see?

However, everyone understands its essence. It’s the player executing a stroke so outrageous it defies description. It’s the adrenaline of the captain in his final form, a look that says: thoughtful warrior, strong features, natural look, truly contemporary you almost imagine to notice and see him playing on the ground shirtless embracing nature.

It’s the batsman continuing to have permission addressing the media, resembling a happy little woodland creature in a waistcoat, saying stuff like we’re breaking down traditions. Certainly, the energy, initially, was only good energy.

3. The Growth Phase

Building period. Unity enforced via memorization of key phrases. These principles are often illogical to prove commitment.

Does anyone else feel? The reaction, the outrage, the sense of betrayal post-defeat feels overblown, overdone. England batted badly during the match, as is typical there. They were torn apart in the field during a brief period as plans unraveled, carved around by the opponent playing aggressively but smarter, responsive to the situation, a man playing with a kind of light around him.

Currently, we see the pile-on, the anger, the view of the sport as a failure. The opinion suggests that losing isn’t enough, they must be humbled, to be cleansed, obliterated, overwhelmed via traditional methods of the pace attack, the low-fi orthodoxies of the veteran, seen enjoying his wickets modestly similar to getting a pleasant gift. What will this do to them?

4. The Backlash Phase

Challenges surface from failures in the plan. Yet, mistakes are denied. It begins to thrive on hatred of the outside world.

In truth, half a week out the next match, we are at a delicious point of tension in the story of this movement. They might succeed overseas through aggressive play. More likely, defeat could come swiftly. Should they fail it seems we could be witnessing the death cult phase.

Prior to that, several aspects to note on the topic. More than two years ago, back in those heady early days, of optimism and energy, an piece was published calling it a phenomenon. There was outrage, which was helpful since it’s clear the best way of proving something definitely isn’t a cult is should followers respond with anger denying scrutiny of the philosophy.

Recent events lately is just as interesting. Criticism of the approach is now the trend. Online outrage is widespread, angry English pundits, pictures of upset travelling fans cheated out of three days of cricket, similar to people wanting fairness.

On the other hand, there is the broader context of the host’s complex more culturally hard-wired exasperation towards the unconventional visitors, claiming, your cherished traditions and have developed as one way of separating yourself from others, it’s just a joke after all.

And this is the real point. All movements are similar. The style was a trend as the game has its own culture. In fact, English cricket has always been a cult, a circle, an elite gathering, a restricted environment with two hundred years of tradition and mystery behind it. Historically, this was where entry is limited. It’s the colonial game of England, the early image-makers. And surprisingly, the country is a phenomenon, a system of unknown levels, a royal family remains.

The team have been sealed up in this environment for years. In trying to escape from it, to build a better atmosphere, they are just repeating their past, building another enclosure, a limited community, but now with a new team and a coach promoting authenticity if you fit the mold.

Focus on the moment. Confront risks. Despite efforts, things stay similar.

Reflecting on this, it is perhaps the moment to offer compassion for the movement, to acknowledge its merits, that are numerous. How to define it? Encouraging expression. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with