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The Life Cycle of a Movement is often marked by clear stages.

1. The Big Idea

A charismatic leader or coaches introduce a new and transcendent idea that promises a solution for struggling players.

And so it goes. Plans are in motion to challenge the establishment in Australia. The gunships are circling. Smoke is rising from the sidelines. A lone figure, exposed, nervous, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT displayed prominently in chicken blood, has stumbled into view and is removed under a blanket for a temporary assignment in county cricket.

Do you recall the start, when optimism reigned? The days of Bazball 1.0, of Bazball without brains.

2. Love-Bombing

Movement founders guarantee a reboot, a brighter tomorrow, love, redemption among a group who all believe in the big idea.

What was this thing initially? Players celebrating basking in glory. Ink. Muscles. Focus. Confident masculinity. Admittedly, The squad insist they don’t use the label, ironically as it’s denied, what was that spectacle?

Yet it’s clear the concept. It’s Harry Brook attempting a move so outrageous it has to be pixelated. It’s the adrenaline of the captain in his final form, a look that says: thoughtful warrior, strong features, natural look, genuinely raw you wouldn’t be surprised to glance over and see him playing at mid-off stripped to the waist holding a fish.

It’s the opener continuing to have permission speaking publicly, out there looking like a happy little woodland creature formally attired, uttering phrases such as we are actively deconstructing the orange. Indeed, the atmosphere, for a significant period, was only good energy.

3. The Growth Phase

Building period. Cohesion maintained through repetition of key phrases. These beliefs can appear contradictory as a test of “true belief”.

Am I alone? The reaction, the fury, the disappointment following the initial loss feels overblown, unwarranted. England batted badly on the field, as history shows. They were torn apart defensively for a couple of hours as plans unraveled, carved around by the batsman batting like England but better, adaptive to conditions, an athlete shining with aura.

Now there is the attacks, the anger, the view of the sport as a failure. The consensus is that England don’t just need to lose, they should be dismantled, to be purged, flame-throwered, destroyed via traditional methods of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the conventional tactics of the veteran, out there celebrating achievements with a bashful smile as if receiving a rewarding prize. What will this do to them?

4. The Backlash Phase

Issues emerge because of mistakes. But the cult cannot admit errors. It turns to anger towards critics.

The fact remains, approaching the next match, we’ve entered a critical juncture in the story of this approach. They might succeed in Brisbane through aggressive play. More likely, defeat could come swiftly. And if they do lose it seems we could be witnessing the decline.

Prior to that, a couple of points worth saying on the topic. More than two years ago, back in those heady early days, of light and heat, an piece was published suggesting Bazball was a cult. There was outrage, which was helpful because everyone knows how to confirm something definitely isn’t a cult is if supporters send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages rejecting criticism of its truths.

What has happened in the last few days are fascinating. Criticism of the approach has now become the cult. Social media is furious, disappointed commentators, shots of angry middle-aged travelling fans disappointed by the short match, reminiscent of people wanting fairness.

Meanwhile, there is the broader context of Australia’s more nuanced ingrained annoyance towards the unconventional visitors, claiming, hey, that thing you love and have developed as part of your identity from others, it’s just a joke ultimately.

This is the core issue. 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 clique, an elite gathering, an insular community with centuries of tradition and mystery defining it. It has long been where entry is limited. It’s the British pastime of the nation, the pioneering brand. And surprisingly, Britain is itself a cult, a system of unknown levels, a monarchy still exists.

England’s cricketers have been sealed up in this system since childhood. Seeking change, to foster positivity, they are just repeating their upbringing, creating another a bubble, a closed circle, but doing it this time with 15 cool guys and a mentor who wants you to be yourself as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

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

Considering this, now is the time to offer compassion for Bazball, to acknowledge its merits, that are numerous. What does it represent? Creating a sense of freedom. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with