🔗 Share this article

The Life Cycle of a Movement is often marked by distinct phases.

1. The Grand Vision

An inspiring figure or leaders propose a revolutionary approach that promises a panacea for alienated and vulnerable people.

And so it goes. Preparations are underway to storm the compound down in Brisbane. Tensions are rising. Smoke is rising from within. A lone figure, naked, shivering, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT written on his body as a statement, has come staggering into view and is taken aside under a blanket to a different team elsewhere.

Do you ever miss the early days, when optimism reigned? The era of early Bazball, of uninhibited aggression.

2. Initial Adoration

Team architects guarantee a fresh beginning, a brighter tomorrow, support, redemption within a community united in belief in the big idea.

What did it represent at first? A team united enjoying success. Tattoos. Muscles. Determination. Elite male wellness energy. Of course, England’s players will claim they don’t use the label, which is funny because if it doesn’t exist, what exactly did I just watch?

Yet it’s clear what it is. It’s the batsman executing a stroke so depraved it’s beyond belief. It’s the adrenaline of the captain in ultimate mode, a look that says: pensive Nordic god, rugged appearance, hair woven from beaver hide, truly contemporary you wouldn’t be surprised to notice and find him positioned in the field stripped to the waist holding a fish.

It’s the opener continuing to have permission to talk in press conferences, appearing as a joyful figure smartly dressed, saying stuff like we are actively deconstructing the orange. Indeed, the atmosphere, for quite a long time, was uplifting.

3. The Growth Phase

Development stage. Unity enforced through repetition of key phrases. These principles may seem irrational as a test of “true belief”.

Is it just me? The reaction, the fury, the disappointment post-defeat seems too strong, overdone. The batting collapsed in Perth, as they often do in Australia. They were torn apart while bowling during a brief period when tactics failed, carved around by the batsman playing aggressively but smarter, adaptive to conditions, a man playing with brilliance.

Now there is the criticism, the rage, the perception of the team as a failure. The feeling seems to be that losing isn’t enough, they must be humbled, to be cleansed, flame-throwered, defeated via traditional methods of the bowler’s action, the low-fi orthodoxies of the veteran, out there celebrating his wickets humbly as if receiving a pleasant gift. What impact will this have?

4. External Conflict

Challenges surface from failures in the plan. But the cult cannot admit errors. It turns to hatred of the outside world.

In truth, a few days before the upcoming game, we’ve entered a critical juncture in the lifespan of this thing. Victory is possible overseas through aggressive play. Probably, they could lose just as quickly. And if they do lose it appears we really might be entering the final stage.

Before that happens, a couple of points to consider regarding this. In the past, back in those heady early days, of optimism and energy, an piece was published calling it a phenomenon. Criticism followed, which proved the point as it’s known the best way of proving lack of cult status is should followers react defensively denying scrutiny of the beliefs.

The developments in the last few days is just as interesting. Criticism of the approach has now become the cult. Online outrage is widespread, disappointed commentators, images of frustrated followers overseas cheated out of three days of cricket, reminiscent of timeshare owners seeking justice.

Meanwhile, there is the broader context of the opponent’s mixed deep-seated frustration with the aggressive tourists, stating, your cherished traditions and have honed to distinguish yourselves culturally from us, well, it’s all a bit of a gag ultimately.

Here lies the truth. All movements are similar. The style was a trend since the sport itself is insular. Or at least, English cricket has always been a cult, a circle, a private event, a closed world with two hundred years of opaque and ritualistic cult history defining it. This has always been where influence is guarded. It’s the colonial game of the British, the early image-makers. And surprisingly, Britain is itself a cult, a structure of hidden ranks, a place that literally still has a king.

The team have been isolated in this system for years. In trying to escape from it, to foster positivity, they are mirroring their past, forming a new circle, a closed circle, however with a new team and a mentor who wants you to be yourself provided you conform.

Live where your feet are. Embrace challenges. But no matter how fast and far you run, things stay similar.

Considering this, it might be appropriate to show understanding for the movement, to acknowledge its merits, of which there are many. How to define it? Encouraging expression. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with