🔗 Share this article

The Life Cycle of a Phenomenon tends to be marked by specific steps.

1. The Big Idea

A charismatic leader or coaches introduce a revolutionary approach pledging a cure for struggling players.

So here we are. Preparations are underway to storm the compound down in Brisbane. Pressure is mounting. Conflict emerges from the sidelines. A lone figure, vulnerable, anxious, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET displayed prominently as a statement, has emerged into view and is taken aside with discretion for a temporary assignment in county cricket.

Remember the early days, when everything was fresh? The initial phase, of uninhibited aggression.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Movement founders offer a reboot, optimism ahead, camaraderie, salvation among a group with shared faith in the philosophy.

What did it represent back then? Players celebrating basking in glory. Body art. Muscles. Focus. Peak performance vibes. Admittedly, England’s players insist it’s not a real term, amusingly because if it doesn’t exist, what did we see?

But we know what it is. It’s the player playing a shot so depraved it defies description. It’s the thrill of Ben Stokes in ultimate mode, a demeanor suggesting: pensive Nordic god, strong features, natural look, genuinely raw you almost imagine to look down and see him playing in the field bare-chested holding a fish.

It’s the batsman still being allowed to talk in press conferences, out there looking like a joyful figure in a waistcoat, saying stuff like we are actively deconstructing the orange. Certainly, the vibe, for quite a long time, was entirely positive.

3. The Growth Phase

Development stage. Togetherness strengthened via memorization of the cult’s slogans. These beliefs may seem irrational as a loyalty check.

Am I alone? The backlash, the anger, the feeling of letdown following the initial loss appears excessive, unwarranted. England batted badly on the field, as is typical there. They were torn apart defensively during a brief period as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, outplayed by the opponent playing aggressively but smarter, responsive to the situation, a performer excelling with a kind of light around him.

Now there is the pile-on, the frustration, the sense of English Test cricket as a kind of abomination. The consensus is that defeat must be total, they should be dismantled, to be cleansed, obliterated, defeated via traditional methods of the pace attack, the low-fi orthodoxies of the veteran, seen enjoying successes modestly similar to getting a pleasant gift. What will this do to them?

4. The Backlash Phase

Challenges surface due to setbacks. But the cult cannot admit errors. It begins to thrive on hostility externally.

The fact remains, a few days before the next match, we are at an intriguing moment in the lifespan of this approach. They might succeed in Brisbane with bold tactics. More likely, they could lose just as quickly. In case of defeat it seems we really might be entering the death cult phase.

Ahead of this, several aspects to consider regarding this. In the past, at the start, of light and heat, a column appeared labeling it a movement. There was outrage, which was helpful as it’s known a method to show that it’s not a closed group is should followers respond with anger rejecting criticism of its truths.

Recent events lately are equally notable. Criticism of the approach is now the trend. We have a uniformly angry internet, disappointed commentators, shots of angry middle-aged followers overseas disappointed by the short match, similar to timeshare owners seeking justice.

Conversely, there is the broader context of the host’s complex more culturally hard-wired exasperation at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, out there saying, hey, that thing you love and have fostered and nurtured to distinguish yourselves culturally from us, well, it’s all a bit of a gag ultimately.

This is the core issue. All movements are similar. The style was a trend because cricket is a cult. Or at least, the team has long been exclusive, a clique, an elite gathering, an insular community with a long history of tradition and mystery defining it. It has long been where influence is guarded. It’s the imperial sport of England, the early image-makers. And notably, the country is a phenomenon, a structure of hidden ranks, a monarchy still exists.

The players have been isolated in this system from a young age. Seeking change, to build a better atmosphere, they are just repeating their own experience, building another enclosure, a closed circle, but doing it this time with a new team and a mentor encouraging individuality provided you conform.

Focus on the moment. Run towards the danger. But no matter how fast and far you run, you’re always basically in the same place.

With this mind, it is perhaps the moment to show understanding for the approach, to appreciate its good points, which are significant. What does it represent? Promoting liberation. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with