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The opening ball in a contest is far more rather than just one ball.

It signifies a heart-pounding two or four moments of sheer excitement, where all of the pre-series talk ultimately concludes.

"To define that atmosphere throughout the entire series would prove truly special," commented English bowler Gus Atkinson when questioned about the prospect this week.

"I know history shows multiple iconic first-ball moments in Ashes cricket matches. The opportunity to contribute that history would be incredible."

As Atkinson explains, that opening ball has created some of the truly memorable cricket moments - ones that appeared to set the storyline and at least became easy to reflect upon in hindsight...

Cummins Smashing Through Cover Field

Zak Crawley had spent his preparation to 2023's Ashes thinking about striking that opening delivery to four runs - regarding hoping to "deliver a message."

Australia captain Pat Cummins approached at the pavilion end when the batsman hammered a drive past cover field amid roaring cheers by English supporters.

"I've long been a huge admirer of the first ball of the Ashes," the opener revealed.

"I've been watching it from childhood so I realized a couple of weeks before if if we won the toss it meant an excellent opportunity of receiving it."

"I talked with Harry Brook regarding this while we were playing golf in Scotland - saying it would be amazing should I strike the first one away to make an impact."

England may not have won that series - and the Australians dramatically took that first Test during last day - but it proved a glimpse at the way Stokes' side would attack throughout that summer.

Burns & England Bowled Over

This instance at Edgbaston has been one of rare opening deliveries to go in favor of England, however.

Significantly more often they have been telling signs of Australia's control that would be ahead.

During 2021's tour, Mitchell Starc dismissed England batsman Rory Burns with a leg-stump half-volley at the Gabba to become the initial bowler to take a dismissal with the first ball of a series since Aussie seamer Ernest McCormick in 1936.

The English preparation was inadequate and at that instant of Australian elation the tourists took a punch to the stomach.

"My spirit simply plummeted to the floor," recalled bowler Stuart Broad, who was watching in the pavilion.

"We had prepared toward these matches and bang, first ball, he is dismissed."

The series were lost within eleven more days while the Australians claimed the series four-nil.

The Opener's Impact Shot

It's additionally unsurprising a captain who thrived in "mental disintegration" believed events were set through a similar moment 27 prior.

Steve Waugh and the Australians were seeking a fourth Ashes series win in a row as opener Michael Slater started the 1994-95 contest by emphatically driving England bowler Phil DeFreitas for four past backward point.

"It was like 'alright team we're off once more we've dominated already'," said the captain, who'd feature every matches during a 3-1 domestic win.

"In our minds it felt as if we are on top now so let's just keep pressing on. We know how to beat this team."

Ominous.

The Bowler's Dreadful Wide

But what if that delivery proves only that - a single in ten thousand or so beginning the series?

The wide Steve Harmison bowled to start 2006's Ashes - where he bowled the ball toward the hands of skipper Andrew Flintoff in the slips, nearly avoiding the pitch in the process - has become the most iconic Ashes series opener of all.

"I panicked," the bowler told media shortly afterwards.

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

"I could not stop my grip to stop sweating. The first ball flew out of my hands, the second also slipped, and, after that, I had no rhythm, nothing."

The English had won the 2005 series fifteen months earlier but were resoundingly defeated five-nil. Some argue those Ashes were lost at that very moment.

"We weren't prepared enough to beat