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The first delivery of a series represents significantly more than just one pitch.

It embodies an nerve-wracking three or four moments of pure theatre, when all of the pre-contest discussion finally ends.

"To establish that atmosphere throughout the whole series would prove truly special," remarked English paceman Gus Atkinson when asked about the possibility this week.

"I know there have been several historic opening-delivery occasions in Ashes history. The possibility to add to tradition would be amazing."

Like the bowler observes, that first ball has produced many of the most iconic Ashes occasions - events that appeared to establish that storyline or minimum proved convenient to reference in hindsight...

The Captain Crashing Through Cover Field

Zak Crawley dedicated the build-up for the 2023 Ashes series thinking about driving the opening delivery for a boundary - about wanting to "create an impact."

Australia skipper Pat Cummins ran in from Edgbaston when Crawley hammered a drive through cover field amid thunderous applause from English crowd.

"I've always been a huge admirer regarding the opening delivery of the Ashes," Crawley revealed.

"I was watching them since youth so I understood several weeks out if if we won coin toss it meant a good chance of receiving it."

"I talked with Harry Brook about it when we played playing golf in Scotland - that it could be amazing should I hit the first one for runs to make an impact."

The English may not have won that contest - while Australia dramatically took that first Test during the final day - but it proved a preview at how Ben Stokes' team planned to attack during the summer.

Burns & English Bowled Over

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

Far more often they've served as warning indicators of the Australian control that was to come.

On the 2021-22 tour, Mitchell Starc bowled England batsman Rory Burns via a leg-stump full delivery at Brisbane becoming the initial pitcher to take a wicket on the opening delivery of a series after Australian seamer Ernest McCormick in the 1930s.

England's build-up was inadequate so at that point of Aussie elation England took a hit to their morale.

"My emotion simply fell dramatically," recalled bowler Stuart Broad, watching watching from the dressing room.

"You have built for these matches then bang, opening delivery, he's out."

The series were gone in 11 more days while the Australians won the contest four-nil.

Slater's Impact Delivery

It is also no surprise a captain who thrived in "mental disintegration" believed events were determined through an identical event 27 before.

Steve Waugh and Australia were seeking their fourth Ashes win consecutively as batsman Michael Slater began 1994's series with decisively crunching English bowler Phil DeFreitas for four past the offside.

"It felt as if 'alright boys here we go once more we've dominated already'," said Waugh, who'd feature every Tests during three-one home win.

"In our minds it was like we are dominant already and we should keep attacking. We know how we defeat these guys."

Ominous.

Harmison's Dreadful Delivery

But suppose the first delivery is only that - one among ten thousand or so beginning the contest?

The errant delivery Steve Harmison delivered to start the 2006-07 Ashes - where he sent the ball toward the grasp of captain Andrew Flintoff in the slips, nearly avoiding the cut strip in the process - became the most remembered Ashes first ball ever.

"I tensed," Harmison explained media soon after.

"I allowed the enormity of the occasion get to me. It all felt so unfamiliar for me. My entire being was nervous."

"I couldn't get my hands from being sweaty. That initial delivery slipped out of my grasp, the second did too, and, after that, I had no control, zero."

England had won the 2005 series 15 months earlier yet were comprehensively beaten 5-0. Some contend those Ashes ended at that exact moment.

"We weren't skilled enough to beat