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The first delivery in an Ashes contest is much more than merely one delivery.

It signifies a heart-pounding three or three seconds of pure excitement, where all of the pre-series hype finally ceases.

"To establish the tone throughout the entire series would prove really cool," commented English bowler Gus Atkinson after asked about the possibility recently.

"I understand history shows numerous memorable opening-delivery instances in Ashes matches. The chance to add that tradition would be amazing."

Like Atkinson notes, that first ball has delivered many of the truly historic Ashes moments - events that appeared to define the tone and at least proved easy to reflect upon later on...

Cummins Driving Past Cover Field

Zak Crawley devoted his preparation to the 2023 Ashes series planning driving the first ball for four runs - about aiming to "deliver a message."

Australia skipper Pat Cummins ran in at the pavilion end when Crawley hammered a drive past the covers to roaring cheers from English supporters.

"I've always remained an enormous fan of the first ball of Ashes cricket," Crawley revealed.

"I've been observing it since youth and I knew several of weeks before that should we won coin toss it meant an excellent opportunity to receiving that ball."

"I discussed with Harry Brook about this while we were playing golf in Scotland - saying it would be special if I could hit the first one for runs to make a statement."

England didn't won the series - and the Australians dramatically took that first Test during the final day - but it was a preview at the way Stokes' team would play aggressively throughout that summer.

The Opener and England Dismissed Early

That moment at Birmingham has been among rare first deliveries that went the way of the English, though.

Much more frequently they have been warning indicators regarding Australia's control that was following.

On the 2021-22 tour, Mitchell Starc bowled English batsman Rory Burns via a half-volley at Brisbane becoming the first bowler claiming a wicket on the opening delivery of an Ashes series after Australian seamer Ernest McCormick in 1936.

The English preparation had been poor and at that moment during Aussie celebration the tourists took a hit psychologically.

"My confidence just fell dramatically," recalled paceman Stuart Broad, watching observing from the pavilion.

"You have built for this series and immediately, first ball, he is dismissed."

The series were lost within eleven additional days while the Australians claimed the contest 4-0.

The Opener's Impact Delivery

It is also no surprise a captain who reveled in "psychological warfare" believed proceedings were set by a similar moment twenty-seven prior.

Steve Waugh with Australia aimed for their fourth Ashes series win consecutively as opener Michael Slater began 1994's series by emphatically hitting England seamer Phil DeFreitas for four through backward point.

"It felt as if 'okay team here we go again we've got them now'," recalled Waugh, who would feature all five matches in three-one home victory.

"Psychologically it felt like we are dominant already so we should keep pressing on. We understand how to defeat this team."

Significant.

Harmison's Horror Wide

But what if the first ball is only that - one in 10,000 or so to start the series?

The wide Steve Harmison bowled to begin the 2006-07 Ashes - where he bowled the delivery into the grasp of captain Andrew Flintoff in the slips, nearly avoiding the cut strip completely - has become the most famous Ashes opener in history.

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

"I allowed the significance of the occasion get to me. It all seemed so unfamiliar for me. My entire being felt tense."

"I couldn't stop my grip from sweating. The first ball slipped out of my hands, the second did as well, and, after that, I possessed no rhythm, zero."

England claimed 2005's Ashes 15 before yet were resoundingly defeated five-nil. Some argue those series ended at that very moment.

"We weren't prepared enough to beat