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That initial delivery in an Ashes contest is far more rather than just a single pitch.

It signifies a nerve-wracking two or three moments of pure drama, when every bit of the pre-match discussion ultimately ceases.

"To set that mood throughout the entire contest would prove truly remarkable," remarked England bowler Gus Atkinson when questioned about the prospect lately.

"I understand there have been several memorable first-ball moments in Ashes cricket history. The chance to add that tradition seems cool."

Like Atkinson notes, that opening ball has produced many of the truly memorable cricket occasions - ones that seemed to set that narrative or at least became convenient to reference later on...

Cummins Driving Past Cover Field

Zak Crawley dedicated his lead-up to the 2023 Ashes thinking about driving the first ball for four runs - about wanting to "create a message."

Australia skipper Pat Cummins charged in from Edgbaston when Crawley drilled a drive past cover field amid roaring cheers from English supporters.

"I've long been a big admirer of the first ball in Ashes cricket," Crawley revealed.

"I was observing them since growing up so I realized several weeks before that should we won the toss it meant a good opportunity to facing that ball."

"I chatted with Brooky about it while we played golfing on course - saying it could be special should I get the first one away to deliver an impact."

England may not have won that series - and Australia thrillingly won the opening match during the final day - yet it was a glimpse at how Ben Stokes' side planned to attack throughout the series.

The Opener & England Bowled Over

This moment at Edgbaston remains among rare opening deliveries to go in favor of the English, though.

Much more often they've served as warning indicators of Australia's control that was ahead.

On 2021's tour, Mitchell Starc dismissed English batsman Rory Burns with a leg-stump half-volley in the Gabba becoming the first bowler to take a dismissal with the first ball in a contest since Australian seamer Ernest McCormick during 1936.

The English preparation had been poor and at that instant of Aussie jubilation the tourists took a hit psychologically.

"My spirit just fell to the floor," recalled paceman Stuart Broad, watching watching in the dressing room.

"We had built toward this series then immediately, first ball, he is dismissed."

The Ashes were gone in 11 additional days and Australia won the series four-nil.

Slater's Impact Shot

It is additionally unsurprising a captain who thrived on "psychological warfare" thought proceedings were set by an identical moment twenty-seven years earlier.

Steve Waugh with the Australians aimed for their fourth Ashes series victory consecutively as opener Michael Slater began 1994's series by decisively hitting English bowler Phil DeFreitas for four past the offside.

"It was as if 'alright team here we go again we have got them now'," said Waugh, who would play all five Tests in three-one home victory.

"In our minds it felt like we're on top now so let's just keep hammering away. We understand how to beat these guys."

Ominous.

Harmison's Dreadful Wide

However what if that delivery is only that - one in ten thousand or so beginning the series?

The errant delivery Steve Harmison bowled to begin 2006's series - when he sent the ball into the hands of captain Andrew Flintoff at second slip, almost avoiding the pitch completely - became the most famous Ashes first ball ever.

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

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

"I could not stop my hands to stop sweating. The first ball flew from my grasp, the next also slipped, then, following that, I possessed no control, nothing."

The English had won 2005's Ashes 15 before but were comprehensively defeated five-nil. Many believe those series were lost in that exact moment.

"We simply weren't prepared enough to beat