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The Journey of a Cult can be defined by specific steps.

1. The Big Idea

A dominant personality or coaches propose an innovative concept offering a panacea for alienated and vulnerable people.

So here we are. Preparations are underway to confront the system overseas. Tensions are rising. Smoke is rising from within. An isolated player, vulnerable, nervous, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT smeared across his chest in chicken blood, has stumbled through the lines and is removed in secrecy for a temporary assignment at Derbyshire.

Do you recall the beginning, when everything was fresh? The initial phase, of uninhibited aggression.

2. Love-Bombing

Movement founders promise a fresh beginning, hope for a future, love, success within a community with shared faith in the philosophy.

How did it feel at first? A team united feeling good. Tattoos. Forearms. Determination. Peak performance vibes. Admittedly, England’s players insist it’s not a real term, which is funny because if it doesn’t exist, what did we see?

Yet it’s clear its essence. It’s Harry Brook playing a shot so unconventional it defies description. It’s the excitement of the leader in ultimate mode, a look that says: pensive Nordic god, strong features, natural look, truly contemporary you half-expect to notice and notice he’s fielding in the field bare-chested holding a fish.

It’s Ben Duckett still being allowed addressing the media, out there looking like a cheerful animal formally attired, saying stuff like we’re challenging norms. And yes, the atmosphere, for a significant period, was uplifting.

3. Expansion Period

Building period. Unity enforced by rote learning of the cult’s slogans. These beliefs can appear contradictory as a test of “true belief”.

Is it just me? The criticism, the fury, the feeling of letdown after the first Ashes Test defeat feels overblown, unwarranted. The performance was poor on the field, as they often do in Australia. They were dominated defensively during a brief period as plans unraveled, carved around by the batsman batting like England but better, responsive to the situation, an athlete shining with brilliance.

Currently, we see the criticism, the frustration, the view of the sport as a kind of abomination. The feeling seems to be that losing isn’t enough, they need to lose righteously, to be purged, destroyed, defeated by the vengeful purity of the bowler’s action, the low-fi orthodoxies of Scott Boland, marking achievements humbly similar to getting a pleasant gift. What will this do to them?

4. Hate Bonding

Problems arise from failures in the plan. Yet, mistakes are denied. It begins to thrive on hatred of the outside world.

The fact remains, half a week out the next match, we have now reached an intriguing moment in the lifespan of this movement. They might succeed in the next Test through aggressive play. Probably, defeat could come swiftly. Should they fail it appears we could be witnessing the decline.

Before that happens, there are two things to consider about this. Previously, back in those heady early days, of passion and hope, an piece was published calling it a phenomenon. People were very angry, which demonstrated since it’s clear a method to show something definitely isn’t a cult is if supporters respond with anger denying scrutiny of the philosophy.

Recent events recently are equally notable. Criticism of the approach has turned into a movement. Social media is furious, disappointed commentators, shots of angry middle-aged supporters abroad missing out on play, reminiscent of timeshare owners seeking justice.

Meanwhile, we have the wider backdrop of the host’s complex more culturally hard-wired exasperation towards the unconventional visitors, out there saying, the methods you value and have fostered and nurtured to distinguish yourselves from others, it’s not serious after all.

Here lies the truth. 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 circle, a private event, a closed world with a long history of tradition and mystery behind it. Historically, this was a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the British pastime of England, the early image-makers. And surprisingly, the country is a phenomenon, a system of unknown levels, a place that literally still has a king.

England’s cricketers have been isolated in this system from a young age. Seeking change, to foster positivity, they are mirroring their past, forming a new circle, a closed circle, however with a modern squad and a leader encouraging individuality provided you conform.

Live where your feet are. Run towards the danger. Despite efforts, you’re always basically in the same place.

Reflecting on this, now is the time to offer compassion for the approach, to recognize its positives, of which there are many. How to define it? Promoting liberation. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with