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The first delivery in a series represents much more than merely one pitch.

It signifies an heart-pounding three or three seconds of pure excitement, when every bit of pre-match discussion ultimately ends.

"To set that mood throughout the whole series would prove truly cool," remarked English paceman Gus Atkinson after asked about this possibility this week.

"I know we've witnessed several iconic opening-delivery moments in Ashes cricket matches. The possibility to contribute to tradition seems incredible."

Like the bowler notes, that first delivery has produced some of the most historic Ashes moments - events that seemed to set the narrative and minimum proved easy to reference afterwards...

Cummins Driving Past Cover Field

Zak Crawley had spent the lead-up for the 2023 Ashes planning striking the first ball to a boundary - regarding hoping to "deliver a statement."

Australia skipper Pat Cummins approached from the pavilion end and Crawley drilled a shot through the covers amid deafening cheers from English crowd.

"I've long remained a big fan of the opening delivery of the Ashes," Crawley revealed.

"I was observing them since youth and I understood a couple of weeks out if if we won coin toss it meant a good possibility to facing that ball."

"I chatted with Harry Brook about this when we played golfing on course - that it would be special if I could get the first one for runs to deliver an impact."

England may not have won that series - and Australia thrillingly won the opening match on last day - but it was a hint at the way Stokes' side planned to attack during that summer.

The Opener & England Dismissed Early

That moment in Edgbaston proved one of rare first salvos to go the way of the English, though.

Significantly more often they have been warning signs of Australia's superiority that would be to come.

On 2021's tour, Mitchell Starc bowled England opener Rory Burns with a half-volley in Brisbane to become the initial pitcher to take a dismissal with the first ball in an Ashes contest after Australian bowler Ernest McCormick during 1936.

England's preparation had been inadequate and at that instant during Australian celebration the tourists took a blow to the stomach.

"My spirit just dropped dramatically," recalled bowler Stuart Broad, watching watching in the pavilion.

"You have built for these matches then bang, opening delivery, he is out."

The series were lost within eleven more days while Australia claimed the series four-nil.

The Opener's Impact Shot

It's also no surprise a skipper who thrived on "psychological warfare" believed events were set by a similar event 27 years earlier.

Steve Waugh with Australia were seeking their fourth Ashes victory consecutively as batsman Michael Slater started the 1994-95 series with emphatically driving English seamer Phil DeFreitas to boundary past backward point.

"It was as if 'okay team here we go once more we have got them already'," recalled Waugh, who would play all five Tests during three-one domestic victory.

"In our minds it was as if we are dominant already and let's just continue attacking. We know how we beat these guys."

Ominous.

The Bowler's Horror Delivery

But suppose that ball is just that - one in 10,000 or so beginning the contest?

The errant delivery Steve Harmison bowled to start 2006's Ashes - where he bowled the ball toward the grasp of skipper Andrew Flintoff in second slip, almost missing the cut strip completely - became the most remembered Ashes series first ball in history.

"I tensed," Harmison told media shortly after.

"I allowed the significance of the occasion overwhelm me. Everything seemed so unfamiliar for me. My entire being felt tense."

"I could not get my hands to stop being sweaty. The first ball flew from my hands, the second did too, and, following that, I possessed no rhythm, nothing."

England had won 2005's Ashes fifteen before but were comprehensively defeated five-nil. Many contend those Ashes were lost at that very moment.

"We simply weren't good enough to defeat