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The opening ball of an Ashes contest represents significantly more than merely one delivery.

It embodies an nerve-wracking three to three seconds filled with pure excitement, where every bit of the pre-contest discussion ultimately ceases.

"To define that atmosphere for the whole series would prove truly special," remarked England bowler Gus Atkinson when questioned about the prospect lately.

"I know history shows several historic opening-delivery occasions during Ashes history. The chance to join to tradition would be amazing."

Like Atkinson notes, that first delivery has produced several of the most memorable Ashes occasions - ones that appeared to set that storyline and at least became convenient to reference afterwards...

Cummins Crashing Through the Covers

Zak Crawley had spent the preparation for 2023's Ashes series planning driving the opening delivery to a boundary - regarding hoping to "create a statement."

Australia skipper Pat Cummins approached at the pavilion end and Crawley cracked a drive past the covers amid roaring cheers by English fans.

"I've long been a big fan of the first ball in the Ashes," the opener revealed.

"I was following them since youth and I realized several weeks before if should we won the toss it meant a good possibility to receiving it."

"I chatted with Harry Brook about it when we were golfing on course - that it could be cool should I hit the first one for runs to make a statement."

England may not have won the series - and Australia thrillingly won that first match during last day - yet it proved a hint of how Ben Stokes' side planned to attack during the series.

The Opener & England Dismissed Early

This instance in Birmingham proved one of rare first deliveries to go the way of the English, though.

Much more typically they've served as ominous signs of the Australian control that would be ahead.

During 2021's tour, Mitchell Starc bowled English batsman Rory Burns with a full delivery in the Gabba to become the initial pitcher to take a wicket with the opening delivery of a series after Aussie seamer Ernest McCormick in the 1930s.

England's preparation was inadequate so at that instant during Australian elation the tourists took a blow psychologically.

"My spirit simply fell dramatically," said paceman Stuart Broad, who was watching from the dressing room.

"We had prepared for this series then immediately, first ball, he's out."

The series were lost in eleven more days and Australia won the series 4-0.

The Opener's Impact Shot

It is additionally no surprise a captain who thrived on "mental disintegration" thought proceedings were set by an identical event 27 years earlier.

Steve Waugh and Australia were seeking a fourth Ashes victory in a row as batsman Michael Slater began the 1994-95 contest by emphatically crunching England bowler Phil DeFreitas to boundary through the offside.

"It felt like 'alright boys here we go again we've dominated now'," recalled Waugh, who'd play all five matches during a 3-1 home win.

"Psychologically it felt like we're dominant already and let's just continue hammering away. We understand how to defeat these guys."

Significant.

The Bowler's Dreadful Delivery

But suppose the first delivery proves only that - a single in 10,000 or more to start the contest?

The wide Steve Harmison delivered to begin 2006's series - where he bowled the delivery toward the hands of captain Andrew Flintoff in the slips, nearly missing the cut strip completely - has become the most remembered Ashes series first ball of all.

"I panicked," the bowler explained journalists soon after.

"I allowed the enormity of the occasion get to me. It all seemed so alien for me. My entire being was nervous."

"I could not stop my grip from being sweaty. The first ball slipped from my hands, the second did as well, and, after that, I had no consistency, nothing."

England claimed the 2005 Ashes 15 months earlier but were comprehensively beaten 5-0. Many contend those series were lost at that exact instant.

"We simply weren't good enough to beat