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The first delivery of an Ashes series represents significantly more than simply a single delivery.

It represents a gut-wrenching three or four moments of pure theatre, when every bit of pre-series talk ultimately ends.

"To set that tone for the whole series would prove truly cool," stated English bowler Gus Atkinson when asked regarding the prospect recently.

"I understand there have been numerous memorable first-ball instances in Ashes matches. The possibility to contribute to legacy would be amazing."

As Atkinson observes, that opening delivery has produced some of the most iconic cricket moments - events that appeared to define the storyline or minimum proved easy to reflect upon afterwards...

Cummins Crashing Through Cover Field

Zak Crawley devoted the build-up for 2023's Ashes series thinking about striking the first ball to a boundary - about wanting to "create a message."

Australia skipper Pat Cummins approached at Edgbaston and the batsman cracked a drive past cover field amid roaring roars by English supporters.

"I've always remained a big fan of the first ball in the Ashes," Crawley shared.

"I've been observing them from growing up so I understood a couple of weeks before if should we won the toss it meant an excellent chance of facing it."

"I talked to Brooky regarding it when we played golfing in Scotland - saying it would be special if I could hit the first one away and make an impact."

England didn't claimed the series - and Australia thrillingly won that first Test during last day - yet it proved a hint of how Ben Stokes' side would attack throughout that summer.

Burns & English Dismissed Early

That occasion at Birmingham remains one of the few opening deliveries that went in favor of the English, however.

Significantly more typically they've served as telling signs of Australia's superiority that would be ahead.

On 2021's series, Mitchell Starc dismissed England opener Rory Burns via a full delivery in Brisbane becoming the first pitcher claiming a wicket on the opening delivery of an Ashes series after Australian seamer Ernest McCormick in the 1930s.

England's preparation was lacking and in that moment during Aussie elation England received a punch to the stomach.

"My confidence simply fell immediately," recalled paceman Stuart Broad, who was observing from the dressing room.

"We had built for this series and immediately, first ball, he's out."

The series were lost within eleven additional days and Australia claimed the series 4-0.

Slater's Impact Shot

It's also unsurprising a skipper who thrived in "mental disintegration" thought proceedings were set through an identical event 27 years earlier.

Steve Waugh with Australia aimed for a fourth Ashes win consecutively when batsman Michael Slater began 1994's series by decisively hitting England seamer Phil DeFreitas for four through backward point.

"It felt like 'okay team we're off again we've dominated now'," recalled Waugh, who'd feature all five matches in three-one domestic win.

"Psychologically it felt like we are on top already so let's just continue hammering away. We understand how we beat these guys."

Foreboding.

The Bowler's Horror Delivery

However what if that ball proves just that - one among ten thousand or more to start the series?

The wide Steve Harmison bowled to start 2006's Ashes - where he bowled the ball toward the grasp of skipper Andrew Flintoff in the slips, nearly avoiding the cut strip in the process - proved the most remembered Ashes opener ever.

"I froze," the bowler explained media shortly after.

"I allowed the enormity of the occasion affect me. Everything felt so unfamiliar to me. My entire being was nervous."

"I couldn't stop my hands to stop sweating. The first ball flew out of my hands, the next also slipped, then, after that, I had no control, nothing."

England had won the 2005 series 15 months earlier yet were resoundingly beaten five-nil. Some believe those series were lost at that exact moment.

"We weren't good enough to defeat