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The first delivery of a series represents much more rather than simply one ball.

It represents an gut-wrenching two or three seconds of sheer drama, when all of pre-series talk ultimately ceases.

"To establish that atmosphere for the entire contest would prove really special," commented England paceman Gus Atkinson after questioned regarding the possibility this week.

"I'm aware there have been numerous memorable first-ball moments during Ashes matches. The opportunity to join to legacy seems cool."

Like Atkinson notes, the opening delivery has produced some of the truly iconic Ashes occasions - events that appeared to establish that narrative and at least became easy to reflect upon afterwards...

The Captain Smashing Through the Covers

Zak Crawley dedicated his build-up for 2023's Ashes series contemplating striking that opening delivery to four runs - about aiming to "create a statement."

Australia skipper Pat Cummins ran in at Edgbaston when Crawley hammered a drive past the covers amid deafening applause from the England fans.

"I've always remained an enormous fan of the opening delivery in Ashes cricket," Crawley revealed.

"I was following them since childhood and I understood a couple of weeks out that if we won coin toss it meant a strong chance to facing that ball."

"I discussed to Harry Brook about it while we played golfing in Scotland - saying it could be special if I could hit that first ball away to make an impact."

The English didn't won the series - and the Australians dramatically took that first Test during the final day - but it proved a glimpse of how Stokes' team would attack throughout the series.

Burns & England Bowled Over

This moment in Birmingham has been one of the few first deliveries to go in favor of England, though.

Much more typically they have been telling indicators regarding Australia's superiority that would be to come.

During 2021's tour, Mitchell Starc dismissed English batsman Rory Burns via a leg-stump half-volley in the Gabba becoming the first bowler claiming a wicket on the first ball in an Ashes series after Aussie seamer Ernest McCormick in the 1930s.

The English build-up had been poor and at that moment during Aussie elation England took a hit to their morale.

"My confidence simply dropped to the floor," said paceman Stuart Broad, who was observing in the dressing room.

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

The series were lost in 11 more days and the Australians won the series four-nil.

Slater's Statement Shot

It is also unsurprising a skipper who reveled on "mental disintegration" believed events were set by a similar incident 27 before.

Steve Waugh with the Australians aimed for a fourth Ashes series win in a row when batsman Michael Slater started 1994's contest by emphatically driving English bowler Phil DeFreitas for four past backward point.

"It was like 'okay boys here we go again we've got them already'," recalled Waugh, who'd feature every Tests in a 3-1 domestic victory.

"Psychologically it was like we are on top now so we should continue pressing on. We know how we defeat these guys."

Ominous.

The Bowler's Dreadful Delivery

But what if the first ball is only that - one among ten thousand or more to start the series?

The wide Steve Harmison delivered to start 2006's Ashes - where he hurled the delivery toward the hands of skipper Andrew Flintoff in second slip, nearly missing the pitch in the process - proved the most iconic Ashes series opener ever.

"I tensed," the bowler explained media soon afterwards.

"I let the pressure of the occasion get to me. It all seemed so alien to me. My whole body was nervous."

"I could not get my hands from being sweaty. The first ball slipped out of my hands, the next also slipped, and, after that, I possessed no control, nothing."

England claimed the 2005 Ashes 15 months earlier yet were comprehensively beaten 5-0. Many argue those series were lost at that very instant.

"We weren't prepared enough to beat