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That initial delivery in a contest is significantly more than simply a single ball.

It signifies a heart-pounding two or four seconds of sheer theatre, where every bit of the pre-match discussion finally ends.

"To define that tone throughout the entire series would be truly special," commented England paceman Gus Atkinson when questioned regarding the possibility recently.

"I know history shows numerous historic opening-delivery moments during Ashes matches. The possibility to join that tradition would be amazing."

As Atkinson explains, the first delivery has delivered some of the most iconic Ashes moments - events that appeared to set that storyline or at least proved easy to reference later on...

The Captain Crashing Through the Covers

Zak Crawley dedicated his build-up for 2023's Ashes planning driving that first ball for a boundary - regarding wanting to "make an impact."

Australian skipper Pat Cummins ran in at the pavilion end and the batsman cracked a shot past the covers to thunderous roars from English supporters.

"I've always been an enormous fan regarding the first ball in the Ashes," Crawley shared.

"I was observing it from youth and I understood several of weeks before if should we won the toss there would be a good chance of receiving it."

"I discussed to Harry Brook about this when we played playing golf on course - saying it could be amazing if I could strike the first one for runs and make an impact."

The English didn't claimed the series - while the Australians thrillingly won that first Test during the final day - but it proved a hint at how Ben Stokes' side planned to attack throughout that summer.

The Opener and England Bowled Over

That instance in Birmingham has been one of rare opening salvos that went the way of England, however.

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

On the 2021-22 series, Mitchell Starc bowled English opener Rory Burns with a leg-stump full delivery in Brisbane to become the first bowler to take a dismissal with the opening delivery of an Ashes contest after Australian seamer Ernest McCormick in 1936.

England's build-up was inadequate and at that moment during Aussie celebration the tourists received a hit to their morale.

"My confidence just fell to the floor," recalled bowler Stuart Broad, watching watching from the pavilion.

"We had worked toward this series then bang, first ball, he's dismissed."

The series were gone within 11 more days and the Australians won the series 4-0.

The Opener's Impact Delivery

It is also unsurprising a captain who thrived in "psychological warfare" thought events were determined by a similar moment 27 prior.

Steve Waugh with Australia were seeking their fourth Ashes win in a row when opener Michael Slater began 1994's series with decisively hitting England bowler Phil DeFreitas for four past backward point.

"It was as if 'alright team we're off once more we have dominated already'," said the captain, who'd feature all five matches in a 3-1 domestic victory.

"In our minds it was like we're on top now so we should keep attacking. We know how we beat these guys."

Foreboding.

The Bowler's Horror Delivery

However suppose that ball is only that - a single among ten thousand or so to start the contest?

The wide Steve Harmison bowled to begin the 2006-07 series - when he sent the delivery into the grasp of captain Andrew Flintoff in second slip, nearly missing the pitch in the process - has become the most famous Ashes first ball in history.

"I froze," the bowler told media shortly after.

"I let the significance of the occasion get to me. It all felt so unfamiliar to me. My whole body was nervous."

"I couldn't stop my grip to stop being sweaty. The first ball flew out of my hands, the next also slipped, then, following that, I had no rhythm, zero."

The English had won the 2005 Ashes fifteen before yet were comprehensively defeated five-nil. Some believe those series were lost in that exact moment.

"We weren't good enough to beat