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

1. The Grand Vision

A dominant personality or leaders introduce a revolutionary approach offering a panacea for disconnected individuals.

So here we are. They’re getting ready to confront the system in Australia. Pressure is mounting. Conflict emerges from the sidelines. One individual, exposed, shivering, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT written on his body in chicken blood, has come staggering into view and is removed in secrecy towards an inconclusive loan stint in county cricket.

Do you recall the start, when everything was fresh? The days of Bazball 1.0, of pure instinct.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Team architects guarantee a new start, a brighter tomorrow, love, redemption within a community who all believe in the philosophy.

How did it feel at first? A team united enjoying success. Body art. Muscles. Determination. Confident masculinity. Admittedly, The team insist Bazball doesn’t actually exist, ironically as it’s denied, what exactly did I just watch?

But we know what it is. It’s Harry Brook playing a shot so outrageous it defies description. It’s the adrenaline of the leader at his peak, a demeanor suggesting: pensive Nordic god, beard made of wood, natural look, truly contemporary you almost imagine to look down and notice he’s fielding in the field stripped to the waist holding a fish.

It’s the batsman still being allowed speaking publicly, appearing as a cheerful animal smartly dressed, uttering phrases such as we’re breaking down traditions. Indeed, the vibe, initially, was entirely positive.

3. The Growth Phase

Development stage. Togetherness strengthened via memorization of key phrases. These principles may seem irrational as a loyalty check.

Is it just me? The reaction, the outrage, the disappointment post-defeat seems too strong, overdone. The batting collapsed in Perth, as is typical there. They were dominated defensively in a short span as plans unraveled, outplayed by Travis Head playing aggressively but smarter, adjusting to the pitch, an athlete shining with a kind of light around him.

Now there is the attacks, the rage, the perception of the team as a kind of abomination. The feeling seems to be that losing isn’t enough, they should be dismantled, to be scoured, obliterated, destroyed by the vengeful purity of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the conventional tactics of the bowler, seen enjoying successes modestly as if receiving a rewarding prize. What impact will this have?

4. Hate Bonding

Challenges surface due to setbacks. But the cult cannot admit errors. It begins to thrive on hostility externally.

The fact remains, half a week out the upcoming game, we’ve entered a critical juncture in the lifespan of this thing. Victory is possible in Brisbane through aggressive play. Probably, failure may follow. Should they fail it feels like we may see the decline.

Ahead of this, there are two things to note on the topic. More than two years ago, at the start, of optimism and energy, I wrote an article calling it a phenomenon. There was outrage, which proved the point as it’s known a method to show something definitely isn’t a cult is if supporters send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages denying scrutiny of the beliefs.

Recent events lately are fascinating. Opposition to the style has now become the cult. We have a uniformly angry internet, critical analysts, shots of angry middle-aged travelling fans cheated out of three days of cricket, like a room full of investors demanding recourse.

Meanwhile, there is the broader context of the host’s complex more culturally hard-wired exasperation with the aggressive tourists, stating, your cherished traditions and have developed as part of your identity from the opposition, it’s just a joke after all.

And this is the real point. All movements are similar. The style was a trend because cricket is a cult. Or at least, the sport in England is closed, a clique, an elite gathering, a closed world with two hundred years of tradition and mystery behind it. This has always been where entry is limited. It’s the British pastime of the nation, the early image-makers. And surprisingly, the country is a phenomenon, a structure of hidden ranks, a place that literally still has a king.

The players have been isolated in this system since childhood. In trying to escape from it, to build a better atmosphere, they are mirroring their past, forming a new circle, a closed circle, however with a new team and a mentor promoting authenticity provided you conform.

Stay present. Confront risks. Despite efforts, things stay similar.

Considering this, it might be appropriate to offer compassion for the approach, to acknowledge its merits, of which there are many. What is Bazball? Promoting liberation. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with