🔗 Share this article

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

1. The Core Concept

A charismatic leader or figureheads propose an innovative concept offering a panacea for disconnected individuals.

So here we are. Plans are in motion to storm the compound down in Brisbane. Pressure is mounting. Smoke is rising from the sidelines. An isolated player, naked, shivering, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT smeared across his chest in chicken blood, has come staggering through the lines and is removed with discretion towards an inconclusive loan stint elsewhere.

Do you ever miss the beginning, when optimism reigned? The era of early Bazball, of uninhibited aggression.

2. Initial Adoration

Cult leaders promise a new start, optimism ahead, camaraderie, salvation among a group united in belief in the philosophy.

What was this thing initially? Just men on a balcony enjoying success. Tattoos. Strength. Focus. Confident masculinity. Admittedly, England’s players often say they don’t use the label, ironically because if it doesn’t exist, what exactly did I just watch?

However, everyone understands its essence. It’s the batsman attempting a move so outrageous it defies description. It’s the excitement of the leader at his peak, a demeanor suggesting: thoughtful warrior, rugged appearance, untamed style, genuinely raw you half-expect to look down and see him playing on the ground stripped to the waist embracing nature.

It’s the opener continuing to have permission addressing the media, appearing as a joyful figure formally attired, saying stuff like we’re breaking down traditions. Certainly, the vibe, for a significant period, was only good energy.

3. Expansion Period

Building period. Togetherness strengthened by rote learning of key phrases. These beliefs can appear contradictory as a loyalty check.

Am I alone? The reaction, the outrage, the disappointment following the initial loss appears excessive, overdone. The batting collapsed on the field, as is typical there. They were torn apart while bowling for a couple of hours as plans unraveled, manipulated by the batsman batting like England but better, adjusting to the pitch, a man playing with a kind of light around him.

Now there is the criticism, the anger, the view of the sport as a disgrace. The consensus is that England don’t just need to lose, they should be dismantled, to be cleansed, destroyed, destroyed by the vengeful purity of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the low-fi orthodoxies of Scott Boland, out there celebrating his wickets with a bashful smile like he’s just been given a pleasant gift. How will they respond?

4. Hate Bonding

Problems arise because of mistakes. However, faults are ignored. It begins to thrive on anger towards critics.

The fact remains, half a week out the next match, we are at a delicious point of tension in the journey of this thing. England could quite easily win overseas with bold tactics. Probably, failure may follow. Should they fail it seems we may see the decline.

Prior to that, a couple of points worth saying about this. In the past, back in those heady early days, of light and heat, I wrote an article labeling it a movement. People were very angry, which proved the point as it’s known a method to show lack of cult status is should followers respond with anger objecting to the questioning of the beliefs.

Recent events in the last few days is just as interesting. Criticism of the approach has turned into a movement. We have a uniformly angry internet, disappointed commentators, images of frustrated travelling fans disappointed by the short match, like a room full of investors demanding recourse.

On the other hand, exists the larger scene of the opponent’s mixed deep-seated frustration with the aggressive tourists, out there saying, hey, that thing you love and have fostered and nurtured as one way of separating yourself culturally from us, it’s not serious in the end old boy.

Here lies the truth. It’s all cults. Bazball was a cult as the game has its own culture. Or rather, the team has long been exclusive, a circle, a private event, a closed world with a long history of tradition and mystery supporting it. This has always been where influence is guarded. It’s the imperial sport of the British, the original sports washers. And surprisingly, the nation has its own culture, a structure of hidden ranks, a monarchy still exists.

The team have been enclosed in this system since childhood. In trying to escape from it, to build a better atmosphere, they are just repeating their upbringing, building another enclosure, a limited community, but now with 15 cool guys and a coach encouraging individuality provided you conform.

Stay present. Confront risks. However much you change, things stay similar.

Considering this, it is perhaps the moment to show understanding for Bazball, to appreciate its good points, of which there are many. How to define it? Promoting liberation. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with