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That initial delivery in an Ashes contest represents much more than just a single pitch.

It embodies a heart-pounding two or four moments of sheer drama, when all of the pre-contest talk ultimately concludes.

"To set that tone throughout the entire series would prove really cool," stated English bowler Gus Atkinson after asked regarding the prospect this week.

"I understand we've witnessed several historic opening-delivery occasions during Ashes cricket matches. The opportunity to add that legacy would be cool."

As Atkinson explains, that first delivery has produced some of the most memorable cricket moments - events that seemed to establish that narrative and minimum proved easy to reference afterwards...

The Captain Crashing Through Cover Field

Zak Crawley devoted his preparation to the 2023 Ashes contemplating driving that first ball to four runs - regarding wanting to "make a statement."

Australia skipper Pat Cummins charged in from the pavilion end and the batsman hammered a shot past cover field to roaring cheers by the England fans.

"I've always remained an enormous admirer regarding the opening delivery in the Ashes," the opener shared.

"I've been following it since growing up and I realized a couple weeks before if if we won the toss it meant a good possibility of facing that ball."

"I chatted to Harry Brook regarding it while we played playing golf on course - that it could be cool if I could strike the first one away and make a statement."

The English may not have won the series - and Australia thrillingly took the opening Test during last day - yet it proved a hint of the way Stokes' side would attack during the series.

Burns and English Bowled Over

This moment in Birmingham remains among the few first salvos to go the way of the English, though.

Far more typically they have been ominous indicators of Australia's superiority that would be to come.

On 2021's tour, Mitchell Starc bowled English batsman Rory Burns via a leg-stump half-volley in the Gabba becoming the initial pitcher to take a wicket on the opening delivery in a contest after Aussie bowler Ernest McCormick in 1936.

The English build-up had been lacking so at that point during Aussie elation the tourists received a hit to the stomach.

"My spirit simply fell dramatically," said bowler Stuart Broad, watching watching in the dressing room.

"We had built toward this series then bang, opening delivery, he is out."

The Ashes were gone in 11 additional days while the Australians won the series four-nil.

The Opener's Statement Shot

It is also unsurprising a skipper who reveled on "psychological warfare" believed events were set through a similar incident 27 years earlier.

Steve Waugh and Australia were seeking a fourth Ashes win consecutively as batsman Michael Slater started 1994's series with emphatically crunching English seamer Phil DeFreitas to boundary through backward point.

"It felt as if 'okay team here we go once more we've got them already'," recalled Waugh, who'd play all five matches during a 3-1 home victory.

"In our minds it felt as if we're on top already so we should keep pressing on. We understand how we beat this team."

Significant.

Harmison's Horror Wide

However suppose the first ball is only that - one among ten thousand or so to start the series?

The errant delivery Steve Harmison delivered to begin 2006's Ashes - when he sent the delivery toward the grasp of skipper Andrew Flintoff at the slips, nearly missing the cut strip in the process - became the most iconic Ashes opener ever.

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

"I allowed the enormity of the moment get to me. It all seemed so alien to me. My whole being felt tense."

"I couldn't stop my grip to stop sweating. That initial delivery slipped out of my hands, the next did as well, then, following that, I possessed no rhythm, nothing."

The English claimed 2005's series 15 before but were resoundingly beaten 5-0. Some believe those Ashes ended in that very moment.

"We weren't prepared enough to defeat