🔗 Share this article

The Journey of a Movement can be marked by clear stages.

1. The Core Concept

An inspiring figure or figureheads present a revolutionary approach offering a solution for disconnected individuals.

So here we are. Preparations are underway to challenge the establishment down in Brisbane. The gunships are circling. Conflict emerges from the out-houses. One individual, vulnerable, shivering, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET smeared across his chest as a symbol, has emerged into view and is being led away in secrecy to a different team at Derbyshire.

Remember the early days, when optimism reigned? The initial phase, of pure instinct.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Movement founders offer a reboot, optimism ahead, support, salvation together with shared faith in the method.

What did it represent back then? Players celebrating basking in glory. Body art. Muscles. Jawlines. Peak performance vibes. Admittedly, The squad will claim they don’t use the label, ironically as it’s denied, what exactly did I just watch?

Yet it’s clear what it is. It’s the batsman playing a shot so outrageous it defies description. It’s the adrenaline of the leader at his peak, a look that says: focused titan, strong features, natural look, truly contemporary you wouldn’t be surprised to notice and notice he’s fielding in the field bare-chested and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s the opener continuing to have permission addressing the media, resembling a happy little woodland creature formally attired, saying stuff like we are actively deconstructing the orange. And yes, the energy, initially, was only good energy.

3. A New Life

Growth phase. Togetherness strengthened by rote learning of mantras. These ideas can appear contradictory as a test of “true belief”.

Am I alone? The reaction, the outrage, the sense of betrayal after the first Ashes Test defeat appears excessive, unwarranted. The batting collapsed during the match, as history shows. They were savaged defensively during a brief period as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, carved around by the batsman imitating their style effectively, responsive to the situation, a performer excelling with a kind of light around him.

Now there is the criticism, the anger, the view of the sport as a disgrace. The feeling seems to be that losing isn’t enough, they need to lose righteously, to be purged, obliterated, defeated by the vengeful purity of the pace attack, the low-fi orthodoxies of the bowler, out there celebrating his wickets humbly similar to getting a pleasant gift. How will they respond?

4. The Backlash Phase

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

In truth, a few days before the upcoming game, we’ve entered a delicious point of tension in the lifespan of this movement. Victory is possible in the next Test with bold tactics. Alternatively, they could lose just as quickly. Should they fail it seems we could be witnessing the death cult phase.

Prior to that, several aspects to consider regarding this. In the past, during the initial excitement, of optimism and energy, I wrote an article calling it a phenomenon. People were very angry, which was helpful as it’s known the best way of proving that it’s not a closed group is when its acolytes react defensively denying scrutiny of the philosophy.

What has happened recently are fascinating. Criticism of the approach has now become the cult. Online outrage is widespread, disappointed commentators, 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 Australia’s more nuanced ingrained annoyance at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, stating, hey, that thing you love and have fostered and nurtured as one way of separating yourself culturally from us, well, it’s all a bit of a gag ultimately.

Here lies the truth. It’s all cults. The approach was a phenomenon because cricket is a cult. In fact, the sport in England is closed, a circle, a garden party, 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 colonial game of the British, the pioneering brand. And notably, the nation has its own culture, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a place that literally still has a king.

The team have been isolated within this world since childhood. Seeking change, to build a better atmosphere, they are mirroring their upbringing, creating another a bubble, a limited community, however with 15 cool guys and a leader promoting authenticity if you fit the mold.

Stay present. Run towards the danger. However much you change, things stay similar.

With this mind, it might be appropriate to show understanding for the movement, to acknowledge its merits, of which there are many. How to define it? Encouraging expression. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with