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The Journey of a Cult is often marked by distinct phases.

1. The Big Idea

An inspiring figure or figureheads present a revolutionary approach pledging a cure for alienated and vulnerable people.

Thus we find ourselves. Preparations are underway to storm the compound in Australia. Pressure is mounting. Conflict emerges from within. An isolated player, exposed, shivering, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT written on his body in chicken blood, has come staggering through the lines and is being led away in secrecy for a temporary assignment in county cricket.

Remember the start, when the world was still young? The initial phase, of pure instinct.

2. Initial Adoration

Team architects promise a reboot, hope for a future, support, redemption together who all believe in the big idea.

How did it feel initially? A team united enjoying success. Body art. Strength. Focus. Confident masculinity. Oh sure, The team often say Bazball doesn’t actually exist, amusingly because if it doesn’t exist, what was that spectacle?

Yet it’s clear what it is. It’s the batsman playing a shot so unconventional it defies description. It’s the excitement of Ben Stokes in ultimate mode, a demeanor suggesting: thoughtful warrior, beard made of wood, untamed style, so authentically Modern Savage you wouldn’t be surprised to notice and see him playing in the field bare-chested holding a fish.

It’s Ben Duckett continuing to have permission to talk in press conferences, resembling a joyful figure in a waistcoat, expressing thoughts like we’re breaking down traditions. Indeed, the vibe, initially, was entirely positive.

3. Expansion Period

Building period. Togetherness strengthened by rote learning of mantras. These principles can appear contradictory to prove commitment.

Is it just me? The reaction, the anger, the feeling of letdown following the initial loss appears excessive, unwarranted. The batting collapsed in Perth, as history shows. They were dominated in the field for a couple of hours as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, outplayed by the opponent playing aggressively but smarter, adaptive to conditions, an athlete shining with aura.

Currently, we see the criticism, the anger, the sense of English Test cricket as a failure. The consensus is that England don’t just need to lose, they need to lose righteously, to be purged, obliterated, destroyed via traditional methods of the bowler’s action, the low-fi orthodoxies of the bowler, marking achievements with a bashful smile as if receiving a rewarding prize. What impact will this have?

4. Hate Bonding

Issues emerge because of mistakes. However, faults are ignored. It turns to hatred of the outside world.

In truth, a few days before from the second Test, we have now reached a critical juncture in the story of this thing. England could quite easily win in Brisbane in a blur of adrenal disruption. More likely, defeat could come swiftly. In case of defeat it seems we really might be entering the death cult phase.

Before that happens, there are two things worth saying regarding this. Previously, back in those heady early days, of light and heat, an piece was published calling it a phenomenon. There was outrage, which was helpful as it’s known a method to show that it’s not a closed group is if supporters respond with anger objecting to the questioning of its truths.

Recent events in the last few days are equally notable. Criticism of the approach is now the trend. Online outrage is widespread, critical analysts, images of frustrated supporters abroad missing out on play, similar to people wanting fairness.

On the other hand, exists the larger scene of the host’s complex ingrained annoyance with the aggressive tourists, stating, your cherished traditions and have developed as part of your identity from the opposition, it’s not serious after all.

And this is the real point. All movements are similar. The style was a trend as the game has its own culture. In fact, the sport in England is closed, a group, a private event, a closed world with a long history of opaque and ritualistic cult history supporting it. It has long been a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the colonial game of the British, the original sports washers. And surprisingly, the nation has its own culture, a structure of hidden ranks, a place that literally still has a king.

The team have been enclosed in this environment since childhood. Seeking change, to create a less brutal environment, they are just repeating their upbringing, building another enclosure, a closed circle, but now with a new team and a coach promoting authenticity provided you conform.

Live where your feet are. Run towards the danger. However much you change, you’re always basically in the same place.

Reflecting on this, now is the time to have some sympathy for the movement, to recognize its positives, that are numerous. What does it represent? Encouraging expression. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with