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The first delivery of an Ashes series is much more than just one pitch.

It represents an nerve-wracking two or three moments of pure excitement, when every bit of the pre-series discussion finally ends.

"To establish the atmosphere throughout the entire contest would be really remarkable," commented English bowler Gus Atkinson when asked regarding the possibility this week.

"I'm aware there have been several memorable opening-delivery moments during Ashes history. The chance to contribute to tradition seems incredible."

As Atkinson notes, the first ball has produced many of the most historic Ashes occasions - ones that seemed to define the storyline or at least became easy to reference afterwards...

Cummins Smashing Through the Covers

Zak Crawley devoted his preparation for 2023's Ashes thinking about hitting that first ball to four runs - about wanting to "deliver a message."

Australian skipper Pat Cummins approached at Edgbaston and the batsman cracked a shot past the covers to deafening applause by the England crowd.

"I've long been an enormous admirer regarding the first ball of Ashes cricket," the opener shared.

"I was observing them since growing up and I knew several weeks out if should we won the toss there would be a strong opportunity of facing it."

"I talked to Brooky about it when we played golfing in Scotland - that it could be amazing should I strike that first ball for runs to make an impact."

The English didn't won the contest - and Australia thrillingly won the opening match on last day - but it was a hint of the way Stokes' team planned to attack during the summer.

The Opener & English Dismissed Early

That moment at Edgbaston proved one of rare opening salvos to go the way of England, however.

Far more often they have been warning signs of Australia's control that was to come.

On the 2021-22 series, Mitchell Starc bowled England batsman Rory Burns with a leg-stump full delivery in the Gabba becoming the first pitcher to take a dismissal on the opening delivery of an Ashes series after Aussie seamer Ernest McCormick in the 1930s.

The English build-up had been poor so in that moment of Aussie elation the tourists took a hit psychologically.

"My confidence simply plummeted immediately," recalled bowler Stuart Broad, who was observing from the pavilion.

"You have worked for this series then bang, first ball, he's out."

The Ashes were gone in eleven additional days while Australia claimed the contest four-nil.

The Opener's Impact Shot

It's also unsurprising an Australian captain who thrived on "psychological warfare" believed proceedings were set through a similar moment 27 before.

Steve Waugh and the Australians were seeking a fourth Ashes victory in a row when opener Michael Slater started 1994's contest by decisively crunching English bowler Phil DeFreitas to boundary past backward point.

"It was like 'alright boys we're off once more we have dominated already'," said Waugh, who would feature every matches during three-one domestic victory.

"Psychologically it felt like we're on top already so let's just keep hammering away. We know how to beat these guys."

Significant.

The Bowler's Dreadful Wide

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

The wide Steve Harmison delivered to begin 2006's series - when he hurled the delivery toward the grasp of skipper Andrew Flintoff at the slips, almost avoiding the pitch in the process - proved the most famous Ashes first ball of all.

"I froze," Harmison explained journalists shortly after.

"I allowed the enormity of the moment affect me. It all felt so unfamiliar for me. My entire being felt tense."

"I couldn't stop my grip from being sweaty. The first ball flew out of my grasp, the next also slipped, then, following that, I possessed no rhythm, zero."

The English claimed 2005's Ashes 15 months earlier but were resoundingly defeated 5-0. Some believe that Ashes ended at that exact moment.

"We simply weren't prepared enough to beat