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

It represents a nerve-wracking two to four moments filled with sheer drama, when every bit of the pre-series hype ultimately ends.

"To set the tone for the whole series would prove truly remarkable," stated England paceman Gus Atkinson when asked about the possibility recently.

"I understand history shows several memorable first-ball moments during Ashes history. The chance to contribute that history would be amazing."

Like the bowler explains, the opening ball has created several of the truly memorable Ashes moments - events that appeared to define the narrative or minimum became easy to reference later on...

Cummins Smashing Past the Covers

Zak Crawley had spent his build-up to the 2023 Ashes contemplating striking that first ball to a boundary - about hoping to "deliver a statement."

Australian skipper Pat Cummins charged in at the pavilion end when Crawley cracked a drive past the covers to roaring roars by English crowd.

"I've long been an enormous admirer of the first ball of the Ashes," Crawley explained.

"I was following them since youth and I understood several of weeks out that should we won the toss it meant an excellent chance to receiving it."

"I chatted with Brooky about this while we played playing golf in Scotland - saying it could be amazing should I hit the first one for runs to make an impact."

The English may not have claimed that series - while the Australians thrillingly took that first match on last day - but it was a preview of how Ben Stokes' side planned to play aggressively during the summer.

Burns & England Bowled Over

This occasion at Birmingham remains one of rare first salvos that went the way of England, however.

Far more frequently they have been warning signs regarding Australia's superiority that would be following.

During 2021's tour, Mitchell Starc dismissed English opener Rory Burns with a leg-stump full delivery in Brisbane becoming the first pitcher claiming a wicket on the opening delivery in a contest after Aussie seamer Ernest McCormick in the 1930s.

The English build-up had been poor and in that moment of Aussie elation the tourists took a punch to the stomach.

"My confidence just plummeted to the floor," recalled paceman Stuart Broad, who was watching from the dressing room.

"We had built for these matches and bang, opening delivery, he's out."

The Ashes were gone within 11 additional days while the Australians won the series four-nil.

Slater's Statement Shot

It is additionally no surprise an Australian captain who thrived in "mental disintegration" believed proceedings were set through a similar event 27 before.

Steve Waugh and the Australians were seeking a fourth Ashes victory consecutively when opener Michael Slater started 1994's contest by decisively crunching England bowler Phil DeFreitas for four past backward point.

"It was like 'alright team we're off again we've got them now'," said Waugh, who'd play every matches in three-one home victory.

"In our minds it was like we are dominant now and we should continue attacking. We understand how to beat these guys."

Foreboding.

Harmison's Dreadful Delivery

However suppose the first ball proves only that - one among 10,000 or so beginning the contest?

The wide Steve Harmison bowled to start 2006's Ashes - when he hurled the delivery toward the hands of skipper Andrew Flintoff at the slips, almost missing the pitch in the process - proved the most famous Ashes first ball of all.

"I panicked," the bowler explained media shortly afterwards.

"I allowed the enormity of the occasion get to me. Everything seemed so alien for me. My entire body felt tense."

"I could not get my hands to stop sweating. The first ball flew out of my hands, the second did too, then, following that, I had no consistency, zero."

The English had won 2005's Ashes fifteen months earlier yet were comprehensively beaten 5-0. Some argue that Ashes were lost in that very instant.

"We simply weren't prepared enough to beat