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

1. The Grand Vision

An inspiring figure or figureheads propose an innovative concept that promises a cure for struggling players.

Thus we find ourselves. Preparations are underway to challenge the establishment down in Brisbane. The gunships are circling. Smoke is rising from the sidelines. A lone figure, exposed, nervous, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT displayed prominently as a symbol, has come staggering through the lines and is being led away in secrecy towards an inconclusive loan stint in county cricket.

Remember the early days, when everything was fresh? The initial phase, of Bazball without brains.

2. Love-Bombing

Cult leaders promise a reboot, a brighter tomorrow, camaraderie, redemption within a community with shared faith in the big idea.

What was this thing at first? Players celebrating feeling good. Ink. Muscles. Focus. Peak performance vibes. Admittedly, The squad insist it’s not a real term, ironically because if it doesn’t exist, what did we see?

However, everyone understands what it is. It’s the batsman playing a shot so unconventional it has to be pixelated. It’s the excitement of the leader at his peak, a demeanor suggesting: thoughtful warrior, strong features, natural look, truly contemporary you half-expect to look down and see him playing at mid-off shirtless and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s the opener still being allowed to talk in press conferences, appearing as a joyful figure smartly dressed, expressing thoughts like we’re breaking down traditions. Certainly, the vibe, initially, was only good energy.

3. A New Life

Growth phase. Unity enforced via memorization of the cult’s slogans. These beliefs may seem irrational as a test of “true belief”.

Is it just me? The backlash, the outrage, the disappointment post-defeat seems too strong, too much. The batting collapsed during the match, as history shows. They were savaged in the field in a short span when tactics failed, outplayed by the batsman batting like England but better, responsive to the situation, an athlete shining with aura.

Currently, we see the pile-on, the anger, the perception of the team as a failure. The opinion suggests that losing isn’t enough, they need to lose righteously, to be scoured, obliterated, overwhelmed by the vengeful purity of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the low-fi orthodoxies of Scott Boland, marking successes humbly like he’s just been given a nice new fishing rod. What will this do to them?

4. External Conflict

Issues emerge because of mistakes. Yet, mistakes are denied. It starts to feed on hostility externally.

In truth, a few days before from the second Test, we are at an intriguing moment in the story of this thing. England could quite easily win in the next Test with bold tactics. Probably, defeat could come swiftly. And if they do lose it feels like we really might be entering the final stage.

Prior to that, a couple of points to note about this. More than two years ago, back in those heady early days, of optimism and energy, a column appeared suggesting Bazball was a cult. Criticism followed, which demonstrated because everyone knows the best way of proving something definitely isn’t a cult is when its acolytes react defensively objecting to the questioning of the philosophy.

What has happened recently are equally notable. It seems that hating Bazball has turned into a movement. Social media is furious, angry English pundits, pictures of upset travelling fans cheated out of three days of cricket, like a room full of people wanting fairness.

Conversely, we have the wider backdrop of the host’s complex deep-seated frustration with the aggressive tourists, claiming, the methods you value and have honed as part of your identity from the opposition, well, it’s all a bit of a gag in the end old boy.

Here lies the truth. All movements are similar. The approach was a phenomenon since the sport itself is insular. Or rather, the team has long been exclusive, a circle, a garden party, a closed world with a long history of opaque and ritualistic cult history supporting it. This has always been a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the British pastime of the British, the pioneering brand. And notably, the country is a phenomenon, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a monarchy still exists.

The players have been isolated within this world from a young age. Attempting to break free, to create a less brutal environment, they are mirroring their own experience, building another enclosure, a closed circle, but now with a modern squad and a coach encouraging individuality as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Focus on the moment. Run towards the danger. But no matter how fast and far you run, things stay similar.

Reflecting on this, it is perhaps the moment to have some sympathy for Bazball, to recognize its positives, which are significant. What does it represent? Encouraging expression. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with