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The first delivery in a series proves significantly more rather than simply a single pitch.

It represents an nerve-wracking three or four seconds of pure theatre, when all of pre-match hype finally ends.

"To define that mood for the entire series would be truly special," stated England bowler Gus Atkinson when questioned about the possibility recently.

"I'm aware there have been several historic opening-delivery instances during Ashes cricket matches. The chance to join that legacy would be incredible."

As the bowler notes, that first delivery has produced some of the truly memorable Ashes instances - events that appeared to establish that narrative and at least proved convenient to look back on later on...

Cummins Smashing Through the Covers

Zak Crawley had spent the lead-up to the 2023 Ashes planning striking that first ball for a boundary - about aiming to "create a message."

Australian skipper Pat Cummins charged in at the pavilion end when the batsman hammered a drive through cover field to roaring roars by English crowd.

"I've long been an enormous fan of the first ball of Ashes cricket," the opener revealed.

"I've been observing them from growing up and I understood a couple of weeks before if if we won coin toss there would be a good possibility to facing that ball."

"I discussed with Harry Brook about this when we were golfing on course - that it would be amazing should I strike the first one away to make a statement."

The English didn't won that series - while Australia dramatically won the opening Test during last day - but it proved a hint of how Ben Stokes' team would play aggressively during the summer.

The Opener & England Dismissed Early

That moment at Edgbaston has been one of rare first salvos that went the way of the English, though.

Far more typically they have been warning signs regarding Australia's superiority that would be to come.

During 2021's tour, Mitchell Starc dismissed England batsman Rory Burns with a full delivery at Brisbane becoming the initial bowler claiming a dismissal on the first ball in an Ashes contest since Australian bowler Ernest McCormick in the 1930s.

The English preparation had been lacking and in that instant during Aussie celebration England received a hit psychologically.

"My confidence just fell to the floor," said paceman Stuart Broad, who was observing in the pavilion.

"You have prepared for these matches and bang, opening delivery, he's out."

The series were lost in 11 additional days while Australia won the contest 4-0.

Slater's Impact Delivery

It is also unsurprising a skipper who thrived in "psychological warfare" thought events were set through an identical event twenty-seven before.

Steve Waugh and Australia aimed for their fourth Ashes series win consecutively as batsman Michael Slater began the 1994-95 contest with decisively driving English seamer Phil DeFreitas for four through the offside.

"It felt like 'alright boys we're off again we've dominated already'," recalled the captain, who would feature every matches during a 3-1 domestic win.

"In our minds it was as if we are dominant now so let's just continue hammering away. We know how to beat these guys."

Ominous.

The Bowler's Horror Wide

However suppose the first ball proves just that - a single among 10,000 or so to start the contest?

The wide Steve Harmison delivered to begin 2006's series - where he sent the ball toward the grasp of captain Andrew Flintoff at the slips, almost missing the cut strip completely - proved the most iconic Ashes first ball ever.

"I tensed," the bowler told media shortly after.

"I allowed the enormity of the occasion overwhelm me. It all felt so unfamiliar to me. My whole body was nervous."

"I couldn't get my hands from sweating. The first ball slipped from my hands, the second did as well, and, after that, I had no control, zero."

The English had won the 2005 Ashes 15 before but were resoundingly defeated five-nil. Some contend those Ashes ended in that exact moment.

"We weren't prepared enough to beat