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The Evolution of a Phenomenon tends to be marked by clear stages.

1. The Grand Vision

A charismatic leader or figureheads present a new and transcendent idea that promises a solution for alienated and vulnerable people.

So here we are. They’re getting ready to challenge the establishment overseas. Tensions are rising. Signs of trouble appear from the out-houses. A lone figure, vulnerable, shivering, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET written on his body as a statement, has emerged into view and is being led away under a blanket for a temporary assignment at Derbyshire.

Remember the beginning, when optimism reigned? The initial phase, of Bazball without brains.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Movement founders promise a new start, a brighter tomorrow, camaraderie, success together united in belief in the big idea.

What did it represent initially? Just men on a balcony basking in glory. Tattoos. Muscles. Jawlines. Confident masculinity. Oh sure, England’s players often say 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 its essence. It’s the batsman attempting a move so outrageous it defies description. It’s the thrill of the captain in his final form, an expression conveying: focused titan, strong features, natural look, truly contemporary you wouldn’t be surprised to look down and find him positioned at mid-off bare-chested holding a fish.

It’s the opener still being allowed to talk in press conferences, out there looking like a happy little woodland creature formally attired, saying stuff like we’re challenging norms. Certainly, the atmosphere, for quite a long time, was entirely positive.

3. Expansion Period

Growth phase. Unity enforced by rote learning of mantras. These ideas can appear contradictory as a loyalty check.

Is it just me? The backlash, the anger, the disappointment after the first Ashes Test defeat appears excessive, unwarranted. The performance was poor during the match, as they often do in Australia. They were dominated defensively for a couple of hours as plans unraveled, outplayed by the batsman playing aggressively but smarter, adjusting to the pitch, an athlete shining with aura.

Currently, we see the attacks, the anger, the view of the sport as a kind of abomination. The consensus is that England don’t just need to lose, they need to lose righteously, to be purged, destroyed, overwhelmed through sheer skill of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the conventional tactics of the veteran, marking successes humbly as if receiving a pleasant gift. What impact will this have?

4. External Conflict

Challenges surface due to setbacks. Yet, mistakes are denied. It starts to feed on anger towards critics.

In truth, half a week out from the second Test, we’ve entered an intriguing moment in the journey of this thing. England could quite easily win in the next Test with bold tactics. Alternatively, they could lose just as quickly. And if they do lose it seems we really might be entering the death cult phase.

Prior to that, a couple of points to consider on the topic. In the past, at the start, of passion and hope, a column appeared calling it a phenomenon. There was outrage, which demonstrated because everyone knows a method to show that it’s not a closed group is should followers respond with anger rejecting criticism of the beliefs.

What has happened lately are fascinating. Opposition to the style has turned into a movement. We have a uniformly angry internet, angry English pundits, images of frustrated travelling fans missing out on play, like a room full of people wanting fairness.

Conversely, there is the broader context of the host’s complex ingrained annoyance at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, claiming, hey, that thing you love and have developed as one way of separating yourself culturally from us, well, it’s all a bit of a gag ultimately.

And this is the real point. It’s all cults. The style was a trend because cricket is a cult. In fact, English cricket has always been a cult, a clique, a private event, an insular community with centuries of ceremonial past defining it. Historically, this was where entry is limited. It’s the British pastime of the nation, the original sports washers. And guess what, Britain is itself a cult, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a monarchy still exists.

The players have been enclosed within this world from a young age. Attempting to break free, to create a less brutal environment, they are just repeating their past, forming a new circle, an exclusive group, however with 15 cool guys and a coach who wants you to be yourself provided you conform.

Stay present. Confront risks. Despite efforts, you remain stuck.

Considering this, it might be appropriate to have some sympathy for the movement, to recognize its positives, of which there are many. What does it represent? Creating a sense of freedom. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with