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That initial delivery in a series represents far more than just one delivery.

It represents a gut-wrenching two or three seconds of pure excitement, where all of the pre-contest talk finally ceases.

"To establish the tone throughout the entire series would prove really cool," stated English bowler Gus Atkinson when questioned regarding the prospect recently.

"I understand we've witnessed numerous iconic opening-delivery instances during Ashes matches. The chance to join to tradition would be amazing."

Like Atkinson observes, the first delivery has produced some of the most memorable Ashes instances - ones that seemed to define that narrative or minimum proved easy to reference later on...

The Captain Driving Past Cover Field

Zak Crawley dedicated the build-up to the 2023 Ashes contemplating striking that first ball for a boundary - about aiming to "create a message."

Australian skipper Pat Cummins approached from Edgbaston and the batsman hammered a drive through cover field to deafening cheers from the England fans.

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

"I've been observing it since youth so I knew a couple of weeks out if should we won the toss there would be a strong opportunity to facing it."

"I chatted with Brooky about this while we were playing golf on course - saying it could be special should I strike that first ball for runs to make a statement."

The English didn't won the series - and Australia dramatically took that first match on last day - but it proved a hint of the way Ben Stokes' side would attack throughout the series.

The Opener and England Dismissed Early

This instance in Edgbaston proved among rare opening salvos that went in favor of the English, however.

Far more often they have been telling indicators regarding Australia's dominance that would be following.

During the 2021-22 series, Mitchell Starc bowled England batsman Rory Burns with a full delivery at Brisbane to become the initial pitcher claiming a dismissal with the first ball in a contest since Australian bowler Ernest McCormick in 1936.

England's build-up was lacking so at that instant of Australian jubilation England took a blow to the stomach.

"My emotion just dropped to the floor," recalled paceman Stuart Broad, watching watching in the pavilion.

"We had worked toward this series and immediately, first ball, he is out."

The series were lost within eleven more days while the Australians won the contest 4-0.

Slater's Statement Delivery

It is additionally no surprise an Australian captain who reveled in "mental disintegration" thought proceedings were determined by an identical incident 27 years earlier.

Steve Waugh with the Australians were seeking their fourth Ashes series win consecutively when opener Michael Slater began 1994's series by emphatically hitting English seamer Phil DeFreitas for four past the offside.

"It felt as if 'okay team we're off once more we have got them now'," said Waugh, who'd play all five matches during a 3-1 home win.

"In our minds it felt like we are dominant now so let's just keep attacking. We understand how to defeat these guys."

Foreboding.

Harmison's Dreadful Wide

However what if that delivery proves only that - a single in ten thousand or more to start the series?

The wide Steve Harmison bowled to start the 2006-07 Ashes - where he hurled the delivery toward the grasp of skipper Andrew Flintoff at second slip, almost avoiding the pitch in the process - proved the most iconic Ashes series first ball of all.

"I panicked," Harmison told media shortly after.

"I let the significance of the moment get to me. It all felt so alien for me. My whole body felt tense."

"I could not stop my hands from being sweaty. That initial delivery flew out of my grasp, the next did too, then, after that, I had no rhythm, zero."

The English claimed 2005's series 15 before but were resoundingly defeated 5-0. Many argue that Ashes ended in that very moment.

"We weren't prepared enough to beat