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The opening ball in a contest proves much more than simply a single delivery.

It signifies an gut-wrenching two to four seconds of sheer excitement, when every bit of pre-match discussion ultimately ends.

"To set the mood throughout the entire series would be truly remarkable," stated England bowler Gus Atkinson when questioned about the possibility lately.

"I understand there have been several historic opening-delivery instances during Ashes matches. The opportunity to add that legacy would be incredible."

As Atkinson explains, the opening ball has delivered some of the truly memorable cricket moments - events that seemed to define that storyline and at least became convenient to look back on afterwards...

Cummins Smashing Past Cover Field

Zak Crawley dedicated the preparation for 2023's Ashes series thinking about driving that first ball to four runs - about aiming to "deliver a statement."

Australian skipper Pat Cummins approached from the pavilion end and the batsman drilled a drive past cover field to thunderous roars by the England fans.

"I've always remained a big admirer regarding the opening delivery of Ashes cricket," Crawley shared.

"I was following it since childhood so I realized a couple weeks before that if we won coin toss it meant a good chance of receiving that ball."

"I discussed with Harry Brook regarding this while we were golfing in Scotland - that it could be cool if I could strike the first one for runs to make a statement."

The English didn't claimed that contest - while Australia dramatically took that first match during the final day - yet it was a preview of how Stokes' team would play aggressively throughout the summer.

Burns & English Bowled Over

This moment in Edgbaston has been one of rare opening deliveries that went in favor of England, however.

Significantly more often they've served as telling indicators of Australia's control that would be to come.

During the 2021-22 tour, Mitchell Starc bowled English opener Rory Burns with a half-volley at Brisbane to become the initial bowler to take a wicket with the opening delivery of a contest since Aussie bowler Ernest McCormick in the 1930s.

The English build-up had been lacking so at that point during Australian celebration the tourists took a punch to the stomach.

"My spirit just dropped immediately," recalled paceman Stuart Broad, watching observing from the pavilion.

"We had built for these matches and immediately, opening delivery, he's dismissed."

The series were lost in eleven more days while the Australians claimed the contest 4-0.

The Opener's Statement Shot

It's also no surprise an Australian skipper who reveled on "mental disintegration" thought events were determined by an identical event 27 prior.

Steve Waugh and the Australians were seeking a fourth Ashes series victory consecutively as opener Michael Slater started 1994's contest with decisively hitting English bowler Phil DeFreitas for four past backward point.

"It felt like 'alright boys here we go once more we've got them already'," said the captain, who would play every Tests in three-one domestic win.

"Psychologically it felt like we're dominant now and let's just keep attacking. We understand how to beat these guys."

Foreboding.

The Bowler's Horror Delivery

But suppose that delivery proves just that - a single among ten thousand or more beginning the series?

The errant delivery Steve Harmison delivered to begin the 2006-07 Ashes - when he sent the ball into the hands of skipper Andrew Flintoff at second slip, nearly avoiding the cut strip completely - has become the most remembered Ashes opener of all.

"I tensed," the bowler told journalists soon afterwards.

"I allowed the significance of the moment affect me. It all seemed so alien to me. My whole being was nervous."

"I could not stop my grip to stop sweating. The first ball flew from my hands, the next did as well, then, after that, I possessed no rhythm, zero."

The English claimed the 2005 series fifteen months earlier but were resoundingly beaten 5-0. Many contend those series were lost at that very instant.

"We weren't prepared enough to defeat