The Evolution of a Movement is often defined by distinct phases.
A dominant personality or figureheads present an innovative concept pledging a panacea for struggling players.
And so it goes. Preparations are underway to confront the system overseas. Tensions are rising. Conflict emerges from the out-houses. A lone figure, vulnerable, nervous, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET displayed prominently as a symbol, has stumbled through the lines and is taken aside in secrecy for a temporary assignment at Derbyshire.
Do you recall the start, when the world was still young? The era of early Bazball, of uninhibited aggression.
Team architects promise a fresh beginning, hope for a future, love, success within a community with shared faith in the method.
What was this thing initially? Players celebrating basking in glory. Tattoos. Strength. Determination. Peak performance vibes. Oh sure, The squad often say it’s not a real term, amusingly as it’s denied, what exactly did I just watch?
However, everyone understands its essence. It’s the batsman executing a stroke so outrageous it’s beyond belief. It’s the excitement of the captain in ultimate mode, a look that says: pensive Nordic god, beard made of wood, natural look, truly contemporary you half-expect to glance over and notice he’s fielding at mid-off shirtless embracing nature.
It’s Ben Duckett still being allowed speaking publicly, out there looking like a cheerful animal smartly dressed, expressing thoughts like we’re breaking down traditions. Indeed, the vibe, initially, was uplifting.
Development stage. Togetherness strengthened via memorization of key phrases. These ideas may seem irrational as a test of “true belief”.
Is it just me? The criticism, the fury, the disappointment post-defeat feels overblown, overdone. The performance was poor in Perth, as is typical there. They were dominated in the field in a short span when tactics failed, outplayed by the batsman batting like England but better, adjusting to the pitch, a performer excelling with aura.
And now we have this the attacks, the anger, the perception of the team as a kind of abomination. The consensus is that defeat must be total, they should be dismantled, to be cleansed, obliterated, destroyed via traditional methods of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the low-fi orthodoxies of Scott Boland, marking successes humbly like he’s just been given a nice new fishing rod. What impact will this have?
Challenges surface from failures in the plan. But the cult cannot admit errors. It turns to hatred of the outside world.
In truth, approaching from the second Test, we have now reached a critical juncture in the story of this movement. England could quite easily win overseas with bold tactics. Alternatively, defeat could come swiftly. Should they fail it feels like we may see the death cult phase.
Prior to that, several aspects worth saying about this. More than two years ago, at the start, of optimism and energy, I wrote an article suggesting Bazball was a cult. Criticism followed, which demonstrated as it’s known the best way of proving lack of cult status is if supporters send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages objecting to the questioning of its truths.
Recent events in the last few days is just as interesting. Criticism of the approach has now become the cult. Online outrage is widespread, angry English pundits, pictures of upset travelling fans disappointed by the short match, reminiscent of investors demanding recourse.
Conversely, we have the wider backdrop of the host’s complex deep-seated frustration at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, claiming, hey, that thing you love and have developed to distinguish yourselves from the opposition, well, it’s all a bit of a gag in the end old boy.
This is the core issue. All movements are similar. Bazball was a cult as the game has its own culture. Or at least, the sport in England is closed, a group, a private event, a closed world with a long history of tradition and mystery supporting it. Historically, this was a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the colonial game of the nation, the early image-makers. And notably, Britain is itself a cult, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a royal family remains.
The players have been sealed up within this world from a young age. In trying to escape from it, to foster positivity, they are just repeating their upbringing, forming a new circle, a limited community, but doing it this time with a modern squad and a coach who wants you to be yourself as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.
Focus on the moment. Confront risks. However much you change, you’re always basically in the same place.
With this mind, it might be appropriate to show understanding for the approach, to appreciate its good points, that are numerous. How to define it? Promoting liberation. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with
Elena Hartwell is a multidisciplinary artist and educator passionate about fostering creative communities in London.