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

1. The Grand Vision

A dominant personality or leaders propose a new and transcendent idea that promises a cure for disconnected individuals.

So here we are. They’re getting ready to confront the system in Australia. Tensions are rising. Smoke is rising from the sidelines. One individual, vulnerable, anxious, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET written on his body as a statement, has stumbled from the field and is being led away under a blanket for a temporary assignment at Derbyshire.

Remember the early days, when optimism reigned? The initial phase, of uninhibited aggression.

2. Love-Bombing

Movement founders offer a reboot, hope for a future, support, success within a community who all believe in the method.

How did it feel back then? Players celebrating feeling good. Ink. Muscles. Focus. Confident masculinity. Of course, England’s players often say it’s not a real term, which is funny since it’s not recognized, what was that spectacle?

Yet it’s clear the concept. It’s the player playing a shot so depraved it has to be pixelated. It’s the thrill of the captain in his final form, a look that says: pensive Nordic god, strong features, natural look, genuinely raw you almost imagine to look down and find him positioned in the field stripped to the waist holding a fish.

It’s the opener often seen addressing the media, out there looking like a cheerful animal formally attired, uttering phrases such as we are actively deconstructing the orange. And yes, the atmosphere, initially, was only good energy.

3. A New Life

Growth phase. Unity enforced via memorization of the cult’s slogans. These principles can appear contradictory as a test of “true belief”.

Does anyone else feel? The reaction, the anger, the feeling of letdown post-defeat appears excessive, too much. The batting collapsed on the field, as is typical there. They were torn apart in the field in a short span as plans unraveled, manipulated by the opponent batting like England but better, responsive to the situation, a man playing with aura.

Currently, we see the attacks, the frustration, the perception of the team as a disgrace. The consensus is that defeat must be total, they should be dismantled, to be cleansed, destroyed, destroyed by the vengeful purity of the pace attack, the low-fi orthodoxies of the veteran, seen enjoying achievements modestly like he’s just been given a nice new fishing rod. How will they respond?

4. Hate Bonding

Challenges surface because of mistakes. Yet, mistakes are denied. It begins to thrive on anger towards critics.

In truth, a few days before from the second Test, we’ve entered a critical juncture in the journey of this movement. They might succeed in the next Test through aggressive play. Probably, defeat could come swiftly. And if they do lose it appears we really might be entering the decline.

Before that happens, there are two things to note regarding this. In the past, at the start, of light and heat, I wrote an article labeling it a movement. Criticism followed, which proved the point since it’s clear how to confirm lack of cult status is when its acolytes react defensively denying scrutiny of its truths.

The developments recently is just as interesting. Opposition to the style has turned into a movement. Online outrage is widespread, disappointed commentators, pictures of upset followers overseas cheated out of three days of cricket, similar to timeshare owners seeking justice.

On the other hand, there is the broader context of the host’s complex deep-seated frustration towards the unconventional visitors, out there saying, your cherished traditions and have fostered and nurtured as part of your identity from the opposition, it’s not serious in the end old boy.

And this is the real point. All movements are similar. The style was a trend as the game has its own culture. Or at least, the team has long been exclusive, a group, a garden party, an insular community with two hundred years of tradition and mystery defining it. This has always been where influence is guarded. It’s the colonial game of the nation, the early image-makers. And guess what, Britain is itself a cult, a structure of hidden ranks, a royal family remains.

England’s cricketers have been sealed up in this system from a young age. Seeking change, to build a better atmosphere, they are mirroring their past, creating another a bubble, an exclusive group, but doing it this time with 15 cool guys and a mentor who wants you to be yourself if you fit the mold.

Live where your feet are. Embrace challenges. However much you change, you’re always basically in the same place.

With this mind, it might be appropriate to show understanding for the movement, to recognize its positives, of which there are many. What is Bazball? Promoting liberation. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with