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That initial delivery in an Ashes series represents far more than just a single delivery.

It embodies an gut-wrenching two to three seconds of pure drama, when every bit of pre-series talk ultimately concludes.

"To define that tone for the entire contest would be really special," remarked English paceman Gus Atkinson when questioned about the prospect recently.

"I know history shows multiple memorable opening-delivery instances in Ashes history. The chance to contribute that history would be incredible."

As Atkinson observes, the first ball has produced many of the most historic cricket instances - ones that seemed to define the tone and minimum became convenient to look back on afterwards...

The Captain Smashing Through the Covers

Zak Crawley dedicated his preparation for 2023's Ashes contemplating hitting the first ball to four runs - about wanting to "make a statement."

Australia skipper Pat Cummins approached at the pavilion end when Crawley cracked a shot through the covers amid deafening cheers by English crowd.

"I've always remained a huge admirer of the first ball in the Ashes," Crawley revealed.

"I've been watching them since growing up and I realized a couple weeks out that if we won coin toss it meant an excellent opportunity of facing it."

"I talked with Harry Brook regarding it when we played golfing on course - saying it would be special should I get the first one for runs and deliver a statement."

England may not have won the contest - and the Australians thrillingly won that first Test during last day - but it was a hint of the way Ben Stokes' team planned to play aggressively during the summer.

Burns and English Dismissed Early

That moment at Birmingham remains one of rare first salvos to go the way of the English, though.

Far more often they have been warning indicators regarding the Australian dominance that would be to come.

On 2021's series, Mitchell Starc dismissed England batsman Rory Burns via a half-volley in the Gabba becoming the first bowler to take a wicket on the opening delivery in an Ashes series after Australian seamer Ernest McCormick during the 1930s.

England's build-up had been inadequate and in that moment during Australian elation the tourists received a hit to the stomach.

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

"We had prepared for these matches then bang, opening delivery, he's out."

The Ashes were lost within 11 more days and the Australians claimed the contest 4-0.

The Opener's Statement Delivery

It's additionally unsurprising an Australian captain who thrived on "mental disintegration" believed proceedings were determined by a similar moment twenty-seven years earlier.

Steve Waugh with the Australians aimed for a fourth Ashes series victory in a row when batsman Michael Slater started the 1994-95 series by decisively hitting England bowler Phil DeFreitas to boundary past the offside.

"It felt like 'okay boys we're off once more we've got them already'," recalled the captain, who would feature all five matches in three-one domestic victory.

"In our minds it felt like we're on top now and let's just keep hammering away. We know how we beat this team."

Foreboding.

The Bowler's Dreadful Wide

But what if the first delivery is only that - a single in ten thousand or more to start the contest?

The wide Steve Harmison delivered to start 2006's Ashes - where he sent the delivery toward the hands of skipper Andrew Flintoff at the slips, almost missing the pitch in the process - has become the most iconic Ashes first ball ever.

"I froze," the bowler explained media shortly after.

"I allowed the significance of the occasion affect me. It all felt so unfamiliar to me. My entire being was nervous."

"I could not get my grip to stop sweating. That initial delivery slipped from my grasp, the second did too, and, after that, I possessed no control, zero."

England claimed the 2005 series 15 months earlier yet were comprehensively beaten 5-0. Some argue that series were lost in that very instant.

"We simply weren't prepared enough to defeat