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The Evolution of a Cult is often marked by specific steps.

1. The Core Concept

A charismatic leader or coaches present a revolutionary approach that promises a solution for alienated and vulnerable people.

Thus we find ourselves. Preparations are underway to challenge the establishment overseas. Pressure is mounting. Conflict emerges from within. A lone figure, vulnerable, nervous, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET written on his body as a symbol, has stumbled through the lines and is being led away under a blanket for a temporary assignment elsewhere.

Remember the beginning, when everything was fresh? The initial phase, of uninhibited aggression.

2. Initial Adoration

Team architects promise a reboot, hope for a future, camaraderie, salvation within a community who all believe in the big idea.

What was this thing initially? Players celebrating enjoying success. Body art. Forearms. Focus. Peak performance vibes. Admittedly, England’s players often say it’s not a real term, which is funny as it’s denied, what was that spectacle?

But we know what it is. It’s Harry Brook attempting a move so outrageous it has to be pixelated. It’s the thrill of the leader in his final form, an expression conveying: thoughtful warrior, rugged appearance, hair woven from beaver hide, genuinely raw you almost imagine to glance over and see him playing at mid-off stripped to the waist holding a fish.

It’s the opener often seen addressing the media, appearing as a joyful figure in a waistcoat, saying stuff like we’re challenging norms. Indeed, the energy, for quite a long time, was entirely positive.

3. Expansion Period

Development stage. Unity enforced through repetition of the cult’s slogans. These beliefs are often illogical as a loyalty check.

Am I alone? The criticism, the outrage, the feeling of letdown after the first Ashes Test defeat feels overblown, overdone. The performance was poor in Perth, as history shows. They were savaged defensively during a brief period as plans unraveled, manipulated by the opponent batting like England but better, adjusting to the pitch, a man playing with aura.

Now there is the criticism, the rage, the perception of the team as a disgrace. The feeling seems to be that England don’t just need to lose, they must be humbled, to be cleansed, destroyed, destroyed via traditional methods of the pace attack, the simple basics of the bowler, out there celebrating his wickets with a bashful smile similar to getting a pleasant gift. How will they respond?

4. The Backlash Phase

Issues emerge because of mistakes. However, faults are ignored. It begins to thrive on hatred of the outside world.

Ultimately, a few days before the next match, we are at a critical juncture in the journey of this thing. England could quite easily win in Brisbane in a blur of adrenal disruption. Probably, failure may follow. And if they do lose it seems we really might be entering the death cult phase.

Ahead of this, several aspects to consider regarding this. Previously, back in those heady early days, of optimism and energy, I wrote an article labeling it a movement. There was outrage, which was helpful as it’s known a method to show that it’s not a closed group is should followers react defensively objecting to the questioning of the philosophy.

The developments recently are fascinating. Opposition to the style has now become the cult. Social media is furious, angry English pundits, shots of angry middle-aged travelling fans missing out on play, like a room full of investors demanding recourse.

On the other hand, there is the broader context of the opponent’s mixed deep-seated frustration at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, out there saying, hey, that thing you love and have honed to distinguish yourselves from the opposition, well, it’s all a bit of a gag in the end old boy.

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 group, a garden party, an insular community with two hundred years of opaque and ritualistic cult history defining it. This has always been where entry is limited. It’s the imperial sport of the nation, the original sports washers. And notably, Britain is itself a cult, a system of unknown levels, a place that literally still has a king.

England’s cricketers have been sealed up in this system since childhood. In trying to escape from it, to build a better atmosphere, they are mirroring their upbringing, forming a new circle, a limited community, but doing it this time with 15 cool guys and a coach encouraging individuality as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Live where your feet are. Confront risks. However much you change, things stay similar.

Considering this, it is perhaps the moment to offer compassion for the approach, to acknowledge its merits, of which there are many. What does it represent? Promoting liberation. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with