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The Journey of a Phenomenon tends to be marked by distinct phases.

1. The Grand Vision

A dominant personality or leaders present a revolutionary approach pledging a solution for alienated and vulnerable people.

So here we are. Plans are in motion to challenge the establishment in Australia. Pressure is mounting. Conflict emerges from within. An isolated player, naked, anxious, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT smeared across his chest as a symbol, has come staggering from the field and is taken aside under a blanket to a different team elsewhere.

Remember the beginning, when the world was still young? The initial phase, of pure instinct.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Cult leaders promise a reboot, optimism ahead, support, redemption together with shared faith in the big idea.

How did it feel initially? Just men on a balcony basking in glory. Tattoos. Muscles. Focus. Elite male wellness energy. Oh sure, The team often say it’s not a real term, ironically as it’s denied, what did we see?

But we know the concept. It’s the batsman playing a shot so outrageous it’s beyond belief. It’s the adrenaline of Ben Stokes in ultimate mode, a look that says: pensive Nordic god, strong features, untamed style, truly contemporary you wouldn’t be surprised to glance over and find him positioned on the ground shirtless and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s the opener often seen to talk in press conferences, resembling a happy little woodland creature smartly dressed, uttering phrases such as we’re breaking down traditions. Certainly, the vibe, initially, was uplifting.

3. Expansion Period

Building period. Cohesion maintained via memorization of mantras. These ideas can appear contradictory as a test of “true belief”.

Does anyone else feel? The criticism, the anger, the disappointment post-defeat feels overblown, overdone. England batted badly during the match, as history shows. They were torn apart defensively in a short span as plans unraveled, outplayed by Travis Head batting like England but better, responsive to the situation, a man playing with aura.

And now we have this the pile-on, the anger, the sense of English Test cricket as a failure. The opinion suggests that defeat must be total, they need to lose righteously, to be scoured, flame-throwered, defeated via traditional methods of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the low-fi orthodoxies of the veteran, seen enjoying his wickets modestly like he’s just been given a nice new fishing rod. How will they respond?

4. Hate Bonding

Problems arise because of mistakes. However, faults are ignored. It turns to hostility externally.

The fact remains, half a week out the next match, we have now reached a critical juncture in the lifespan of this approach. Victory is possible in Brisbane in a blur of adrenal disruption. More likely, they could lose just as quickly. And if they do lose it feels like we may see the final stage.

Prior to that, several aspects to consider on the topic. Previously, back in those heady early days, of passion and hope, an piece was published calling it a phenomenon. There was outrage, which was helpful because everyone knows how to confirm lack of cult status is when its acolytes send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages objecting to the questioning of the beliefs.

The developments in the last few days are fascinating. Opposition to the style is now the trend. Online outrage is widespread, angry English pundits, images of frustrated followers overseas cheated out of three days of cricket, reminiscent of timeshare owners seeking justice.

On the other hand, there is the broader context of the opponent’s mixed deep-seated frustration towards the unconventional visitors, claiming, hey, that thing you love and have developed as one way of separating yourself from others, it’s just a joke ultimately.

And this is the real point. All movements are similar. The approach was a phenomenon because cricket is a cult. Or at least, English cricket has always been a cult, a group, an elite gathering, a restricted environment with a long history of ceremonial past supporting it. It has long been where influence is guarded. It’s the colonial game of the nation, the original sports washers. And surprisingly, the nation has its own culture, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a royal family remains.

The team have been isolated in this system for years. Attempting to break free, to create a less brutal environment, they are mirroring their own experience, creating another a bubble, a limited community, but now with a modern squad and a leader promoting authenticity as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Stay present. Confront risks. Despite efforts, things stay similar.

Reflecting on this, it is perhaps the moment to have some sympathy for the movement, to recognize its positives, which are significant. What does it represent? Creating a sense of freedom. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with