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

It represents an gut-wrenching two or four seconds of pure excitement, where every bit of the pre-match discussion ultimately ends.

"To define that tone for the whole series would be really special," stated English bowler Gus Atkinson after questioned regarding the prospect recently.

"I know we've witnessed several iconic first-ball moments in Ashes cricket history. The opportunity to contribute that legacy seems amazing."

As Atkinson observes, the opening delivery has delivered many of the truly iconic cricket instances - events that appeared to define the tone and minimum proved convenient to look back on in hindsight...

The Captain Smashing Through Cover Field

Zak Crawley had spent his lead-up for 2023's Ashes series contemplating striking the opening delivery for four runs - about wanting to "deliver a statement."

Australian captain Pat Cummins approached from Edgbaston when Crawley cracked a shot through the covers to thunderous roars by the England supporters.

"I've always been a big fan of the first ball of the Ashes," Crawley revealed.

"I've been following them from youth so I understood a couple of weeks before if should we won coin toss there would be a strong opportunity to receiving that ball."

"I chatted with Brooky about this while we played golfing on course - saying it would be cool should I hit the first one for runs to make a statement."

The English may not have claimed the contest - while the Australians dramatically won the opening Test during last day - yet it was a preview of how Stokes' team planned to play aggressively throughout the series.

Burns and England Bowled Over

That moment at Birmingham remains among rare first salvos to go in favor of England, however.

Much more often they have been warning signs of the Australian superiority that was to come.

During the 2021-22 series, Mitchell Starc dismissed England opener Rory Burns via a full delivery in Brisbane becoming the first bowler to take a dismissal with the first ball in a contest since Aussie seamer Ernest McCormick in 1936.

The English preparation was inadequate so in that moment of Australian jubilation the tourists took a hit to their morale.

"My spirit simply plummeted dramatically," said paceman Stuart Broad, watching watching in the pavilion.

"We had prepared for this series and bang, first ball, he is out."

The Ashes were gone in 11 additional days while the Australians won the contest four-nil.

Slater's Impact Delivery

It is additionally unsurprising a captain who reveled in "psychological warfare" believed events were set by a similar moment twenty-seven before.

Steve Waugh and the Australians were seeking their fourth Ashes win consecutively when batsman Michael Slater began 1994's contest by decisively crunching English seamer Phil DeFreitas to boundary through the offside.

"It was as if 'alright boys we're off again we've got them now'," recalled Waugh, who'd play all five matches in three-one home victory.

"In our minds it was as if we are dominant already so we should keep attacking. We know how to defeat these guys."

Significant.

Harmison's Horror Wide

But suppose the first ball proves only that - a single in 10,000 or more beginning the series?

The errant delivery Steve Harmison delivered to begin 2006's series - when he sent the delivery toward the hands of captain Andrew Flintoff at the slips, nearly avoiding the pitch completely - has become the most iconic Ashes series opener in history.

"I froze," Harmison explained media shortly afterwards.

"I let the pressure of the occasion affect me. It all seemed so alien to me. My whole body felt tense."

"I could not stop my hands from being sweaty. The first ball slipped out of my hands, the second also slipped, then, following that, I possessed no control, zero."

The English had won the 2005 series fifteen before but were resoundingly beaten 5-0. Many argue that series ended in that very instant.

"We weren't prepared enough to beat