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The Journey of a Movement is often defined by clear stages.

1. The Big Idea

A dominant personality or figureheads propose a new and transcendent idea pledging a solution for alienated and vulnerable people.

So here we are. Preparations are underway to challenge the establishment overseas. The gunships are circling. Signs of trouble appear from within. One individual, exposed, anxious, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT written on his body as a symbol, has emerged through the lines and is taken aside in secrecy for a temporary assignment in county cricket.

Do you ever miss the early days, when everything was fresh? The era of early Bazball, of pure instinct.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Cult leaders guarantee a fresh beginning, optimism ahead, love, success within a community united in belief in the big idea.

What did it represent initially? A team united feeling good. Tattoos. Muscles. Focus. Elite male wellness energy. Admittedly, The team often say they don’t use the label, which is funny as it’s denied, what exactly did I just watch?

However, everyone understands its essence. It’s Harry Brook playing a shot so unconventional it defies description. It’s the excitement of the leader in his final form, a look that says: pensive Nordic god, rugged appearance, untamed style, truly contemporary you wouldn’t be surprised to glance over and see him playing on the ground stripped to the waist holding a fish.

It’s Ben Duckett often seen addressing the media, out there looking like a happy little woodland creature formally attired, expressing thoughts like we’re breaking down traditions. And yes, the vibe, for quite a long time, was entirely positive.

3. A New Life

Growth phase. Unity enforced through repetition of the cult’s slogans. These ideas may seem irrational to prove commitment.

Is it just me? The backlash, the fury, the feeling of letdown after the first Ashes Test defeat seems too strong, overdone. England batted badly during the match, as they often do in Australia. They were torn apart in the field during a brief period when tactics failed, carved around by the batsman batting like England but better, responsive to the situation, an athlete shining with a kind of light around him.

Currently, we see the pile-on, the rage, the perception of the team as a failure. The opinion suggests that England don’t just need to lose, they should be dismantled, to be cleansed, flame-throwered, overwhelmed via traditional methods of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the simple basics of Scott Boland, seen enjoying achievements humbly like he’s just been given a rewarding prize. How will they respond?

4. The Backlash Phase

Challenges surface from failures in the plan. Yet, mistakes are denied. It starts to feed on hatred of the outside world.

The fact remains, approaching the next match, we are at a delicious point of tension in the lifespan of this thing. England could quite easily win in the next Test through aggressive play. Probably, defeat could come swiftly. And if they do lose it appears we could be witnessing the final stage.

Prior to that, a couple of points to note on the topic. More than two years ago, during the initial excitement, of light and heat, an piece was published labeling it a movement. People were very angry, which proved the point as it’s known the best way of proving lack of cult status is when its acolytes send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages objecting to the questioning of the beliefs.

Recent events recently are equally notable. Opposition to the style has now become the cult. Online outrage is widespread, angry English pundits, shots of angry middle-aged followers overseas disappointed by the short match, similar to investors demanding recourse.

On the other hand, we have the wider backdrop of the host’s complex ingrained annoyance towards the unconventional visitors, out there saying, hey, that thing you love and have developed to distinguish yourselves from the opposition, it’s not serious ultimately.

This is the core issue. Everything is a cult. The style was a trend since the sport itself is insular. Or rather, the team has long been exclusive, a circle, an elite gathering, an insular community with centuries of ceremonial past supporting it. This has always been where entry is limited. It’s the colonial game of England, the early image-makers. And notably, Britain is itself a cult, a system of unknown levels, a place that literally still has a king.

The team have been isolated in this system from a young age. In trying to escape from it, to foster positivity, they are simply replicating their upbringing, forming a new circle, a limited community, however with a modern squad and a coach promoting authenticity provided you conform.

Live where your feet are. Run towards the danger. However much you change, things stay similar.

With this mind, it might be appropriate to have some sympathy for the approach, to acknowledge its merits, which are significant. What does it represent? Encouraging expression. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with