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The first delivery of a series proves far more than merely one ball.

It embodies a gut-wrenching three or three moments filled with pure excitement, when every bit of the pre-contest talk ultimately concludes.

"To set the atmosphere throughout the whole series would be truly cool," commented English bowler Gus Atkinson when questioned about this possibility lately.

"I'm aware history shows multiple memorable first-ball moments in Ashes cricket history. The possibility to add to tradition seems cool."

Like the bowler explains, that first delivery has created some of the truly memorable Ashes instances - ones that seemed to define the storyline and at least proved easy to look back on in hindsight...

Cummins Smashing Past Cover Field

Zak Crawley had spent his lead-up to 2023's Ashes contemplating hitting that first ball for a boundary - regarding wanting to "create an impact."

Australia captain Pat Cummins approached at the pavilion end and the batsman cracked a drive past cover field amid roaring cheers by the England supporters.

"I've always been a huge admirer of the first ball in the Ashes," the opener shared.

"I was observing it since growing up so I understood several weeks before that if we won the toss it meant a strong opportunity to facing it."

"I chatted to Brooky about this while we played golfing on course - saying it would be cool if I could strike the first one away to make a statement."

The English may not have claimed the series - while the Australians thrillingly took the opening Test during last day - but it proved a glimpse at the way Stokes' team would attack during the series.

The Opener and England Dismissed Early

This instance at Birmingham proved one of the few opening deliveries that went the way of the English, however.

Far more frequently they've served as telling indicators of the Australian superiority that would be ahead.

During the 2021-22 tour, Mitchell Starc dismissed English batsman Rory Burns with a leg-stump full delivery at the Gabba to become the first bowler to take a wicket with the opening delivery of a series after Aussie bowler Ernest McCormick in the 1930s.

England's build-up was inadequate so at that point of Aussie elation the tourists received a hit psychologically.

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

"You have prepared for this series then immediately, opening delivery, he's out."

The Ashes were lost in 11 more days and Australia claimed the series four-nil.

Slater's Impact Delivery

It's also unsurprising an Australian skipper who reveled on "psychological warfare" thought events were determined by a similar event twenty-seven before.

Steve Waugh with Australia were seeking a fourth Ashes series win consecutively as opener Michael Slater started the 1994-95 series by emphatically driving English seamer Phil DeFreitas for four through the offside.

"It felt like 'okay team we're off again we have dominated now'," said Waugh, who would feature every Tests in three-one home victory.

"Psychologically it felt like we're on top now so let's just keep attacking. We know how to defeat this team."

Significant.

Harmison's Horror Wide

But suppose the first ball proves only that - one in ten thousand or so to start the contest?

The wide Steve Harmison bowled to begin 2006's series - when he bowled the ball into the hands of captain Andrew Flintoff in the slips, nearly missing the cut strip completely - has become the most famous Ashes opener ever.

"I tensed," Harmison explained journalists soon after.

"I let the pressure of the occasion get to me. Everything seemed so strange for me. My whole being was nervous."

"I could not get my grip from sweating. That initial delivery flew from my grasp, the second did as well, and, after that, I had no rhythm, nothing."

England had won the 2005 series fifteen before yet were comprehensively defeated five-nil. Some believe those Ashes ended in that very instant.

"We simply weren't good enough to beat