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The Journey of a Phenomenon can be marked by clear stages.

1. The Grand Vision

A charismatic leader or leaders propose a new and transcendent idea offering a panacea for alienated and vulnerable people.

Thus we find ourselves. Plans are in motion to storm the compound down in Brisbane. Tensions are rising. Conflict emerges from the out-houses. An isolated player, exposed, nervous, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT written on his body as a symbol, has come staggering from the field and is being led away with discretion to a different team elsewhere.

Do you ever miss the beginning, when optimism reigned? The initial phase, of pure instinct.

2. Initial Adoration

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

How did it feel at first? Just men on a balcony basking in glory. Ink. Forearms. Focus. Confident masculinity. Of course, The team often say Bazball doesn’t actually exist, amusingly because if it doesn’t exist, what did we see?

Yet it’s clear the concept. It’s the player playing a shot so unconventional it’s beyond belief. 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 wouldn’t be surprised to glance over and see him playing at mid-off stripped to the waist and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s Ben Duckett still being allowed speaking publicly, out there looking like a happy little woodland creature smartly dressed, expressing thoughts like we’re breaking down traditions. Certainly, the vibe, initially, was entirely positive.

3. A New Life

Development stage. Cohesion maintained by rote learning of key phrases. These ideas may seem irrational to prove commitment.

Does anyone else feel? The reaction, the outrage, the disappointment following the initial loss feels overblown, unwarranted. The batting collapsed in Perth, as is typical there. They were torn apart defensively for a couple of hours as plans unraveled, manipulated by the opponent imitating their style effectively, responsive to the situation, a performer excelling with aura.

Now there is the criticism, the frustration, the perception of the team as a disgrace. The consensus is that defeat must be total, they should be dismantled, to be purged, destroyed, defeated by the vengeful purity of the bowler’s action, the simple basics of the bowler, out there celebrating successes humbly as if receiving a rewarding prize. What impact will this have?

4. The Backlash Phase

Issues emerge due to setbacks. But the cult cannot admit errors. It starts to feed on anger towards critics.

The fact remains, a few days before the upcoming game, we have now reached a delicious point of tension in the lifespan of this movement. Victory is possible overseas in a blur of adrenal disruption. Probably, failure may follow. Should they fail it seems we could be witnessing the death cult phase.

Prior to that, a couple of points to consider regarding this. Previously, back in those heady early days, of light and heat, an piece was published calling it a phenomenon. Criticism followed, which was helpful because everyone knows the best way of proving lack of cult status is when its acolytes react defensively denying scrutiny of the philosophy.

The developments in the last few days are equally notable. Opposition to the style has turned into a movement. Social media is furious, disappointed commentators, shots of angry middle-aged supporters abroad cheated out of three days of cricket, reminiscent of timeshare owners seeking justice.

On the other hand, we have the wider backdrop of Australia’s more nuanced ingrained annoyance towards the unconventional visitors, out there saying, your cherished traditions and have honed to distinguish yourselves from the opposition, it’s not serious ultimately.

Here lies the truth. All movements are similar. Bazball was a cult as the game has its own culture. In fact, the sport in England is closed, a group, a garden party, a closed world with two hundred years of ceremonial past defining it. It has long been a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the British pastime of the British, the pioneering brand. And notably, the country is a phenomenon, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a monarchy still exists.

The players have been enclosed within this world since childhood. Attempting to break free, to build a better atmosphere, they are simply replicating their own experience, creating another a bubble, an exclusive group, but now with 15 cool guys and a mentor who wants you to be yourself as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Live where your feet are. Embrace challenges. Despite efforts, things stay similar.

Considering this, now is the time to have some sympathy for Bazball, to acknowledge its merits, that are numerous. What is Bazball? Promoting liberation. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with