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The Life Cycle of a Phenomenon tends to be defined by clear stages.

1. The Grand Vision

A dominant personality or figureheads present a revolutionary approach pledging a panacea for alienated and vulnerable people.

So here we are. Preparations are underway to confront the system down in Brisbane. Pressure is mounting. Conflict emerges from the sidelines. One individual, naked, anxious, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT written on his body in chicken blood, has stumbled into view and is removed in secrecy to a different team elsewhere.

Do you recall the start, when optimism reigned? The initial phase, of Bazball without brains.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Cult leaders promise a new start, a brighter tomorrow, love, redemption within a community united in belief in the philosophy.

What did it represent back then? Just men on a balcony basking in glory. Tattoos. Muscles. Focus. Elite male wellness energy. Admittedly, England’s players often say it’s not a real term, which is funny since it’s not recognized, what did we see?

However, everyone understands its essence. It’s the batsman attempting a move so outrageous it’s beyond belief. It’s the excitement of Ben Stokes at his peak, an expression conveying: thoughtful warrior, rugged appearance, natural look, genuinely raw you wouldn’t be surprised to notice and see him playing on the ground shirtless holding a fish.

It’s the opener often seen addressing the media, out there looking like a happy little woodland creature formally attired, saying stuff like we are actively deconstructing the orange. Certainly, the vibe, for quite a long time, was entirely positive.

3. A New Life

Development stage. Unity enforced via memorization of mantras. These beliefs can appear contradictory as a loyalty check.

Is it just me? The criticism, the outrage, the feeling of letdown following the initial loss seems too strong, overdone. England batted badly on the field, as history shows. They were torn apart defensively in a short span when tactics failed, manipulated by Travis Head playing aggressively but smarter, responsive to the situation, an athlete shining with aura.

Currently, we see the pile-on, the frustration, the sense of English Test cricket as a failure. The consensus is that defeat must be total, they need to lose righteously, to be purged, obliterated, destroyed through sheer skill of the pace attack, the low-fi orthodoxies of the veteran, marking successes with a bashful smile like he’s just been given a rewarding prize. What impact will this have?

4. The Backlash Phase

Challenges surface from failures in the plan. But the cult cannot admit errors. It turns to anger towards critics.

In truth, approaching from the second Test, we are at a delicious point of tension in the lifespan of this approach. England could quite easily win in the next Test in a blur of adrenal disruption. Alternatively, defeat could come swiftly. And if they do lose it feels like we could be witnessing the death cult phase.

Ahead of this, a couple of points to consider regarding this. Previously, at the start, of light and heat, I wrote an article calling it a phenomenon. People were very angry, which proved the point as it’s known the best way of proving lack of cult status is when its acolytes respond with anger rejecting criticism of its truths.

Recent events in the last few days are equally notable. It seems that hating Bazball is now the trend. We have a uniformly angry internet, critical analysts, shots of angry middle-aged followers overseas cheated out of three days of cricket, similar to investors demanding recourse.

Conversely, exists the larger scene of the host’s complex ingrained annoyance at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, claiming, hey, that thing you love and have honed as part of your identity from the opposition, well, it’s all a bit of a gag ultimately.

And this is the real point. All movements are similar. The approach was a phenomenon as the game has its own culture. Or rather, the sport in England is closed, a circle, an elite gathering, a restricted environment with centuries of tradition and mystery behind it. Historically, this was where influence is guarded. It’s the imperial sport of the British, the early image-makers. And guess what, the nation has its own culture, a structure of hidden ranks, a place that literally still has a king.

The players have been enclosed within this world for years. Seeking change, to create a less brutal environment, they are just repeating their upbringing, forming a new circle, a closed circle, but now with a new team and a leader promoting authenticity as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

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

Considering this, now is the time to show understanding for the movement, to acknowledge its merits, of which there are many. How to define it? Encouraging expression. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with