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The Journey of a Phenomenon tends to be marked by clear stages.

1. The Grand Vision

A charismatic leader or figureheads introduce a new and transcendent idea that promises a solution for struggling players.

And so it goes. Plans are in motion to storm the compound overseas. The gunships are circling. Conflict emerges from the sidelines. One individual, naked, anxious, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT written on his body as a statement, has stumbled into view and is removed under a blanket for a temporary assignment at Derbyshire.

Do you ever miss the early days, when the world was still young? The initial phase, of Bazball without brains.

2. Initial Adoration

Cult leaders promise a reboot, hope for a future, support, redemption together united in belief in the big idea.

What was this thing back then? Players celebrating basking in glory. Body art. Forearms. Focus. Confident masculinity. Oh sure, England’s players insist it’s not a real term, which is funny as it’s denied, what was that spectacle?

But we know what it is. It’s Harry Brook executing a stroke so unconventional it’s beyond belief. It’s the adrenaline of the captain in his final form, an expression conveying: thoughtful warrior, strong features, untamed style, genuinely raw you almost imagine to glance over and see him playing in the field bare-chested embracing nature.

It’s Ben Duckett continuing to have permission to talk in press conferences, out there looking like a cheerful animal formally attired, uttering phrases such as we are actively deconstructing the orange. Indeed, the vibe, for quite a long time, was only good energy.

3. Expansion Period

Development stage. Unity enforced through repetition of key phrases. These principles can appear contradictory as a loyalty check.

Am I alone? The backlash, the outrage, the feeling of letdown post-defeat feels overblown, unwarranted. The batting collapsed in Perth, as history shows. They were dominated defensively in a short span as plans unraveled, carved around by Travis Head playing aggressively but smarter, adjusting to the pitch, a man playing with a kind of light around him.

And now we have this the criticism, the rage, the sense of English Test cricket as a failure. The consensus is that losing isn’t enough, they must be humbled, to be scoured, destroyed, overwhelmed through sheer skill of the pace attack, the simple basics of the bowler, out there celebrating achievements with a bashful smile as if receiving a nice new fishing rod. What impact will this have?

4. Hate Bonding

Challenges surface from failures in the plan. However, faults are ignored. It turns to hatred of the outside world.

Ultimately, approaching from the second Test, we have now reached a delicious point of tension in the story of this thing. England could quite easily win in the next Test through aggressive play. Probably, defeat could come swiftly. And if they do lose it appears we really might be entering the final stage.

Ahead of this, a couple of points to consider about this. In the past, at the start, of light and heat, I wrote an article calling it a phenomenon. There was outrage, which proved the point because everyone knows a method to show that it’s not a closed group is should followers react defensively denying scrutiny of its truths.

What has happened lately is just as interesting. Criticism of the approach is now the trend. Social media is furious, angry English pundits, pictures of upset supporters abroad cheated out of three days of cricket, like a room full of people wanting fairness.

Conversely, we have the wider backdrop of the opponent’s mixed ingrained annoyance towards the unconventional visitors, stating, hey, that thing you love and have honed to distinguish yourselves from others, well, it’s all a bit of a gag after all.

And this is the real point. Everything is a cult. Bazball was a cult since the sport itself is insular. Or at least, English cricket has always been a cult, a clique, a private event, a closed world with a long history of tradition and mystery behind it. Historically, this was where influence is guarded. It’s the colonial game of the nation, the early image-makers. And surprisingly, the nation has its own culture, a system of unknown levels, a monarchy still exists.

England’s cricketers have been enclosed within this world since childhood. In trying to escape from it, to create a less brutal environment, they are just repeating their past, building another enclosure, a limited community, but now with a modern squad and a leader encouraging individuality if you fit the mold.

Live where your feet are. Embrace challenges. Despite efforts, you remain stuck.

Considering this, it might be appropriate to offer compassion for the movement, to acknowledge its merits, of which there are many. What is Bazball? Encouraging expression. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with