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The first delivery of a series is significantly more than just a single ball.

It represents a gut-wrenching two to four seconds of sheer excitement, when every bit of the pre-match talk finally ends.

"To set the tone for the whole contest would prove truly special," stated English bowler Gus Atkinson after asked about the prospect this week.

"I understand there have been multiple memorable opening-delivery instances during Ashes history. The possibility to join to tradition seems amazing."

As Atkinson explains, that opening ball has delivered several of the most historic Ashes instances - events that appeared to define the storyline and at least proved easy to look back on afterwards...

The Captain Driving Past the Covers

Zak Crawley devoted the preparation to the 2023 Ashes contemplating hitting the opening delivery for a boundary - about wanting to "make a statement."

Australia captain Pat Cummins ran in from Edgbaston when the batsman hammered a drive through cover field to thunderous roars by the England fans.

"I've always remained a huge fan of the opening delivery of the Ashes," Crawley explained.

"I was observing them since youth and I understood several weeks before if should we won the toss it meant an excellent opportunity of facing it."

"I discussed to Harry Brook about this when we played playing golf on course - saying it would be cool if I could get the first one away to deliver a statement."

England may not have claimed the series - and the Australians thrillingly won that first match on the final day - yet it proved a glimpse of the way Ben Stokes' side would play aggressively throughout that summer.

The Opener & English Bowled Over

This moment at Birmingham proved one of the few opening deliveries that went the way of England, though.

Far more typically they have been ominous indicators of Australia's dominance that would be following.

On the 2021-22 tour, Mitchell Starc bowled English opener Rory Burns via a half-volley in the Gabba becoming the initial pitcher claiming a wicket on the first ball in a contest after Aussie seamer Ernest McCormick during 1936.

The English preparation was inadequate so at that instant during Australian celebration the tourists received a hit psychologically.

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

"We had built for these matches and bang, first ball, he is out."

The Ashes were lost within 11 more days and Australia won the contest four-nil.

Slater's Statement Shot

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

Steve Waugh and the Australians were seeking their fourth Ashes series win in a row when opener Michael Slater started 1994's series with emphatically crunching England seamer Phil DeFreitas to boundary through the offside.

"It was like 'alright boys we're off once more we have got them already'," recalled Waugh, who would play all five Tests during three-one home victory.

"Psychologically it felt as if we are dominant now so let's just keep attacking. We understand how to beat this team."

Significant.

The Bowler's Horror Delivery

However what if the first ball proves only that - a single in 10,000 or so beginning the series?

The wide Steve Harmison delivered to begin 2006's Ashes - when he bowled the ball into the hands of skipper Andrew Flintoff in second slip, nearly missing the cut strip completely - proved the most famous Ashes series opener in history.

"I panicked," Harmison explained journalists soon afterwards.

"I allowed the enormity of the moment affect me. Everything felt so alien to me. My whole being was nervous."

"I couldn't get my hands to stop being sweaty. The first ball flew out of my grasp, the second did too, and, after that, I possessed no rhythm, zero."

England had won 2005's Ashes 15 months earlier but were resoundingly beaten 5-0. Some contend those Ashes were lost in that very instant.

"We simply weren't skilled enough to defeat