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That initial delivery in a series represents significantly more rather than just a single ball.

It represents a nerve-wracking two to four seconds of sheer drama, where every bit of pre-series discussion finally ceases.

"To set that atmosphere for the whole contest would be really remarkable," commented England paceman Gus Atkinson when questioned about this prospect this week.

"I know history shows several historic first-ball moments in Ashes matches. The possibility to add that history would be incredible."

As the bowler explains, the first ball has produced some of the most memorable cricket occasions - events that appeared to set the narrative and minimum proved easy to look back on afterwards...

Cummins Smashing Through the Covers

Zak Crawley devoted the preparation for the 2023 Ashes thinking about driving the first ball to a boundary - regarding hoping to "make a statement."

Australia skipper Pat Cummins ran in at the pavilion end when the batsman cracked a drive past cover field to roaring roars from English crowd.

"I've always remained a big fan regarding the opening delivery in Ashes cricket," the opener explained.

"I was following it since growing up and I realized several of weeks out if if we won coin toss there would be a strong possibility of receiving that ball."

"I talked to Brooky regarding it when we were golfing on course - that it could be cool if I could get the first one away and make an impact."

The English didn't claimed that series - and Australia dramatically won that first Test during last day - yet it was a hint of the way Ben Stokes' team would play aggressively throughout that summer.

Burns and England Dismissed Early

That instance in Edgbaston remains among the few opening deliveries to go the way of the English, however.

Much more often they have been ominous indicators of the Australian dominance that would be following.

During the 2021-22 tour, Mitchell Starc bowled England opener Rory Burns with a leg-stump half-volley at the Gabba to become the first pitcher claiming a dismissal on the opening delivery in an Ashes contest since Australian seamer Ernest McCormick in the 1930s.

England's preparation was poor so at that moment during Aussie celebration the tourists received a hit psychologically.

"My spirit just dropped immediately," recalled bowler Stuart Broad, who was watching in the pavilion.

"We had built for this series then bang, first ball, he's dismissed."

The Ashes were gone within 11 more days and the Australians won the contest four-nil.

Slater's Impact Shot

It's also unsurprising a skipper who thrived in "psychological warfare" thought proceedings were set through an identical moment 27 years earlier.

Steve Waugh with the Australians were seeking a fourth Ashes win in a row as batsman Michael Slater began 1994's series by decisively crunching England seamer Phil DeFreitas for four past the offside.

"It felt as if 'okay team here we go once more we have got them now'," said the captain, who would feature every matches during three-one home victory.

"Psychologically it felt like we're on top already and let's just keep hammering away. We know how to defeat this team."

Significant.

Harmison's Horror Wide

But suppose that delivery is only that - a single among 10,000 or so to start the contest?

The errant delivery Steve Harmison delivered to start 2006's series - when he bowled the delivery into the grasp of captain Andrew Flintoff at the slips, almost avoiding the pitch completely - became the most remembered Ashes series opener ever.

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

"I let the pressure of the moment affect me. It all seemed so unfamiliar for me. My whole being was nervous."

"I could not get my hands to stop being sweaty. That initial delivery slipped from my grasp, the second did too, and, following that, I had no rhythm, zero."

The English had won the 2005 series 15 before yet were comprehensively beaten five-nil. Many argue those Ashes ended at that exact instant.

"We weren't prepared enough to defeat