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The Journey of a Cult can be marked by specific steps.

1. The Grand Vision

An inspiring figure or leaders introduce a revolutionary approach offering a cure for alienated and vulnerable people.

Thus we find ourselves. Plans are in motion to storm the compound in Australia. Tensions are rising. Smoke is rising from within. A lone figure, naked, nervous, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET smeared across his chest as a symbol, has stumbled from the field and is taken aside in secrecy for a temporary assignment at Derbyshire.

Remember the start, when everything was fresh? The era of early Bazball, of Bazball without brains.

2. Love-Bombing

Movement founders offer a reboot, optimism ahead, camaraderie, success together united in belief in the philosophy.

What was this thing at first? A team united feeling good. Body art. Strength. Focus. Confident masculinity. Oh sure, England’s players often say it’s not a real term, amusingly as it’s denied, what was that spectacle?

But we know its essence. It’s the player executing a stroke so outrageous it defies description. It’s the excitement of the leader at his peak, a look that says: pensive Nordic god, beard made of wood, untamed style, so authentically Modern Savage you wouldn’t be surprised to look down and notice he’s fielding at mid-off shirtless embracing nature.

It’s the opener still being allowed to talk in press conferences, appearing as a cheerful animal formally attired, saying stuff like we’re challenging norms. Indeed, the vibe, for a significant period, was entirely positive.

3. The Growth Phase

Growth phase. Togetherness strengthened through repetition of mantras. These principles can appear contradictory to prove commitment.

Does anyone else feel? The criticism, the anger, the disappointment following the initial loss appears excessive, unwarranted. England batted badly during the match, as history shows. They were dominated while bowling during a brief period as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, manipulated by Travis Head batting like England but better, responsive to the situation, a performer excelling with brilliance.

And now we have this the criticism, the rage, the perception of the team as a failure. The consensus is 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 simple basics of the bowler, marking achievements modestly similar to getting a pleasant gift. What impact will this have?

4. The Backlash Phase

Issues emerge due to setbacks. Yet, mistakes are denied. It begins to thrive on anger towards critics.

Ultimately, approaching the upcoming game, we are at a delicious point of tension in the story of this movement. They might succeed in the next Test with bold tactics. More likely, defeat could come swiftly. In case of defeat it seems we really might be entering the decline.

Before that happens, a couple of points to consider regarding this. Previously, back in those heady early days, of optimism and energy, I wrote an article labeling it a movement. People were very angry, which proved the point as it’s known how to confirm something definitely isn’t a cult is when its acolytes send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages rejecting criticism of its truths.

What has happened lately are fascinating. Criticism of the approach has now become the cult. Social media is furious, critical analysts, images of frustrated travelling fans missing out on play, like a room full of timeshare owners seeking justice.

Conversely, we have the wider backdrop of Australia’s more nuanced more culturally hard-wired exasperation at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, stating, the methods you value and have honed as one way of separating yourself culturally from us, well, it’s all a bit of a gag ultimately.

This is the core issue. All movements are similar. The style was a trend as the game has its own culture. Or at least, the team has long been exclusive, a clique, an elite gathering, a closed world with centuries of tradition and mystery supporting it. Historically, this was where entry is limited. It’s the British pastime of the nation, the early image-makers. And guess what, Britain is itself a cult, a structure of hidden ranks, a royal family remains.

The team have been enclosed within this world since childhood. In trying to escape from it, to build a better atmosphere, they are just repeating their past, forming a new circle, a limited community, but doing it this time with a modern squad and a coach promoting authenticity as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Focus on the moment. Confront risks. Despite efforts, you remain stuck.

With this mind, it is perhaps the moment to have some sympathy for the movement, to recognize its positives, that are numerous. How to define it? Promoting liberation. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with