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

It signifies a heart-pounding three to three seconds of pure excitement, when every bit of pre-series discussion finally ends.

"To set the atmosphere for the whole contest would be truly cool," stated English paceman Gus Atkinson when asked regarding this prospect this week.

"I'm aware history shows multiple historic opening-delivery moments during Ashes matches. The opportunity to add to legacy would be cool."

Like the bowler notes, the opening ball has created several of the truly memorable Ashes instances - ones that appeared to set that tone or at least became convenient to reference in hindsight...

Cummins Driving Past the Covers

Zak Crawley had spent the build-up for the 2023 Ashes contemplating driving the first ball for a boundary - regarding hoping to "deliver an impact."

Australia captain Pat Cummins approached from Edgbaston and the batsman cracked a shot through cover field to deafening cheers by the England fans.

"I've always been a big admirer of the opening delivery in Ashes cricket," the opener revealed.

"I've been watching them from childhood so I knew several weeks out that should we won the toss there would be a strong opportunity of facing that ball."

"I discussed to Brooky regarding it when we played golfing on course - that it would be cool if I could strike the first one away to make an impact."

The English may not have won that contest - while Australia thrillingly won the opening match on the final day - but it was a glimpse of how Stokes' team would play aggressively throughout that summer.

The Opener & England Bowled Over

This instance in Edgbaston remains one of the few opening deliveries that went in favor of England, however.

Significantly more often they've served as warning indicators of the Australian dominance that would be ahead.

During the 2021-22 tour, Mitchell Starc dismissed England batsman Rory Burns with a full delivery in the Gabba to become the first bowler claiming a wicket on the opening delivery of a series after Aussie seamer Ernest McCormick in the 1930s.

England's build-up was inadequate and at that point during Australian jubilation the tourists received a punch to their morale.

"My confidence just dropped immediately," said bowler Stuart Broad, watching watching in the dressing room.

"You have built for these matches then bang, first ball, he is dismissed."

The Ashes were lost in eleven more days while Australia claimed the series 4-0.

The Opener's Impact Delivery

It is additionally unsurprising a skipper who thrived in "psychological warfare" thought events were determined by an identical event 27 before.

Steve Waugh and the Australians were seeking their fourth Ashes win in a row when batsman Michael Slater started the 1994-95 series by decisively hitting English bowler Phil DeFreitas for four through backward point.

"It felt like 'okay team here we go once more we have dominated already'," recalled the captain, who would play all five Tests in a 3-1 home victory.

"In our minds it was like we are on top already and let's just keep hammering away. We understand how we defeat these guys."

Foreboding.

Harmison's Horror Delivery

However what if that delivery is only that - a single in 10,000 or so beginning the series?

The wide Steve Harmison bowled to start 2006's series - when he sent the ball into the grasp of captain Andrew Flintoff in second slip, almost missing the pitch completely - became the most iconic Ashes first ball of all.

"I froze," the bowler told media soon afterwards.

"I allowed the pressure of the moment overwhelm me. Everything seemed so alien for me. My whole body was nervous."

"I couldn't get my grip from sweating. The first ball flew from my grasp, the second did too, then, following that, I had no control, nothing."

The English had won the 2005 series 15 before but were comprehensively beaten five-nil. Many believe that Ashes ended in that very instant.

"We weren't skilled enough to defeat