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That initial delivery of a contest proves far more than merely one delivery.

It embodies an gut-wrenching two or three moments of sheer drama, when all of the pre-series talk ultimately concludes.

"To set that atmosphere throughout the entire series would be truly cool," stated English paceman Gus Atkinson after asked about this possibility lately.

"I'm aware history shows several memorable first-ball moments during Ashes cricket matches. The chance to join to history would be cool."

As the bowler notes, that first delivery has created some of the truly memorable Ashes instances - events that seemed to establish that narrative and minimum proved easy to look back on later on...

The Captain Crashing Through Cover Field

Zak Crawley had spent the build-up for 2023's Ashes thinking about striking the first ball to four runs - regarding hoping to "make a message."

Australia skipper Pat Cummins ran in at Edgbaston and Crawley drilled a drive past cover field amid deafening roars by the England fans.

"I've long been a big admirer regarding the opening delivery of the Ashes," the opener revealed.

"I've been watching them from youth and I understood a couple weeks before if if we won coin toss there would be a good chance of facing it."

"I discussed with Brooky about this while we played playing golf in Scotland - saying it could be amazing should I get the first one for runs and make a statement."

The English didn't claimed that series - while the Australians thrillingly took the opening Test during the final day - but it was a glimpse of how Stokes' team would play aggressively during the summer.

Burns and English Bowled Over

This moment in Birmingham proved among the few first deliveries that went the way of England, though.

Significantly more frequently they've served as warning signs of Australia's control that would be following.

On 2021's series, Mitchell Starc bowled English opener Rory Burns with a half-volley at Brisbane to become the first pitcher to take a dismissal with the opening delivery of a contest since Australian bowler Ernest McCormick during the 1930s.

England's preparation had been inadequate so at that moment of Aussie elation England received a blow psychologically.

"My spirit just fell dramatically," said bowler Stuart Broad, who was watching in the dressing room.

"We had worked toward this series and bang, opening delivery, he is out."

The Ashes were lost within eleven more days and the Australians claimed the contest 4-0.

The Opener's Statement Delivery

It is also unsurprising a skipper who reveled in "psychological warfare" thought proceedings were determined by a similar event 27 prior.

Steve Waugh with the Australians aimed for a fourth Ashes series win in a row as batsman Michael Slater began the 1994-95 contest by emphatically crunching English bowler Phil DeFreitas to boundary through the offside.

"It was as if 'alright boys we're off once more we've dominated now'," said the captain, who'd play every Tests during three-one home victory.

"Psychologically it felt like we are dominant now and we should continue pressing on. We understand how to beat this team."

Ominous.

Harmison's Horror Delivery

However suppose the first ball is just that - one in 10,000 or more to start the series?

The wide Steve Harmison delivered to start the 2006-07 Ashes - when he bowled the ball into the grasp of skipper Andrew Flintoff in the slips, almost avoiding the cut strip completely - became the most iconic Ashes series first ball of all.

"I froze," Harmison told media shortly afterwards.

"I let the enormity of the moment overwhelm me. Everything seemed so unfamiliar for me. My whole body was nervous."

"I couldn't stop my hands from sweating. The first ball slipped from my hands, the next did too, and, after that, I had no rhythm, zero."

The English claimed 2005's Ashes 15 months earlier yet were resoundingly defeated five-nil. Some argue that series ended at that very instant.

"We weren't prepared enough to defeat