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The Journey of a Movement is often marked by specific steps.

1. The Grand Vision

A dominant personality or coaches present a new and transcendent idea that promises a panacea for struggling players.

And so it goes. Preparations are underway to challenge the establishment overseas. Pressure is mounting. Smoke is rising from the sidelines. An isolated player, vulnerable, nervous, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT written on his body in chicken blood, has stumbled into view and is removed under a blanket for a temporary assignment at Derbyshire.

Remember the start, when everything was fresh? The initial phase, of Bazball without brains.

2. Love-Bombing

Movement founders offer a fresh beginning, a brighter tomorrow, camaraderie, success within a community who all believe in the method.

What did it represent back then? A team united basking in glory. Ink. Strength. Jawlines. Elite male wellness energy. Admittedly, The squad will claim they don’t use the label, ironically as it’s denied, what was that spectacle?

But we know its essence. It’s the player playing a shot so depraved it’s beyond belief. It’s the adrenaline of Ben Stokes in his final form, an expression conveying: thoughtful warrior, beard made of wood, hair woven from beaver hide, truly contemporary you almost imagine to look down and see him playing at mid-off shirtless embracing nature.

It’s the batsman continuing to have permission to talk in press conferences, resembling a joyful figure formally attired, saying stuff like we are actively deconstructing the orange. And yes, the vibe, initially, was only good energy.

3. The Growth Phase

Building period. Unity enforced through repetition of the cult’s slogans. These beliefs can appear contradictory as a loyalty check.

Is it just me? The backlash, the fury, the feeling of letdown post-defeat feels overblown, too much. England batted badly in Perth, as is typical there. They were torn apart defensively for a couple of hours when tactics failed, manipulated by Travis Head batting like England but better, responsive to the situation, a performer excelling with a kind of light around him.

Currently, we see the pile-on, the frustration, the perception of the team as a disgrace. The feeling seems to be that England don’t just need to lose, they must be humbled, to be scoured, destroyed, overwhelmed by the vengeful purity of the pace attack, the low-fi orthodoxies of Scott Boland, out there celebrating successes with a bashful smile as if receiving a rewarding prize. What impact will this have?

4. Hate Bonding

Challenges surface due to setbacks. Yet, mistakes are denied. It starts to feed on anger towards critics.

In truth, a few days before the next match, we have now reached an intriguing moment in the journey of this approach. England could quite easily win in Brisbane in a blur of adrenal disruption. More likely, defeat could come swiftly. Should they fail it feels like we could be witnessing the final stage.

Before that happens, there are two things worth saying regarding this. In the past, back in those heady early days, of optimism and energy, a column appeared labeling it a movement. People were very angry, which demonstrated as it’s known the best way of proving that it’s not a closed group is should followers send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages objecting to the questioning of the beliefs.

What has happened recently are equally notable. It seems that hating Bazball has turned into a movement. Social media is furious, disappointed commentators, shots of angry middle-aged supporters abroad missing out on play, reminiscent of timeshare owners seeking justice.

On the other hand, there is the broader context of the opponent’s mixed deep-seated frustration with the aggressive tourists, stating, the methods you value and have fostered and nurtured to distinguish yourselves culturally from us, well, it’s all a bit of a gag in the end old boy.

Here lies the truth. All movements are similar. Bazball was a cult because cricket is a cult. In fact, the team has long been exclusive, a clique, an elite gathering, a restricted environment with centuries of ceremonial past behind it. It has long been where influence is guarded. It’s the colonial game of the nation, the early image-makers. And guess what, the nation has its own culture, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a royal family remains.

The team have been sealed up in this environment from a young age. Attempting to break free, to build a better atmosphere, they are just repeating their upbringing, forming a new circle, a limited community, however with 15 cool guys and a leader promoting authenticity provided you conform.

Live where your feet are. Run towards the danger. However much you change, you remain stuck.

Reflecting on this, now is the time to show understanding for the approach, to acknowledge its merits, of which there are many. How to define it? Promoting liberation. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with