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That initial delivery in an Ashes series represents much more than just a single pitch.

It represents a heart-pounding two to four seconds filled with sheer excitement, where every bit of pre-series discussion finally concludes.

"To set the atmosphere for the whole series would prove really cool," commented England bowler Gus Atkinson when asked regarding this possibility this week.

"I know there have been numerous iconic first-ball instances in Ashes cricket matches. The possibility to join to tradition seems cool."

As Atkinson notes, the first ball has delivered many of the truly iconic Ashes instances - ones that appeared to define the narrative or minimum became easy to reference in hindsight...

The Captain Driving Past the Covers

Zak Crawley dedicated the preparation for the 2023 Ashes series contemplating hitting that opening delivery for a boundary - about hoping to "create an impact."

Australian captain Pat Cummins approached at the pavilion end when Crawley cracked a shot through the covers to thunderous cheers by English crowd.

"I've long remained a huge admirer of the first ball of Ashes cricket," Crawley explained.

"I've been following them since childhood so I knew a couple of weeks out if if we won coin toss there would be an excellent opportunity to facing it."

"I talked to Brooky regarding this when we played playing golf in Scotland - saying it would be special if I could get that first ball away to deliver an impact."

England didn't won that contest - and the Australians dramatically won that first Test on last day - but it proved a hint of the way Stokes' side planned to play aggressively during the summer.

Burns & English Bowled Over

That moment at Birmingham remains one of rare opening salvos that went the way of England, however.

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

On 2021's series, Mitchell Starc dismissed English batsman Rory Burns via a leg-stump full delivery at the Gabba becoming the first bowler claiming a wicket on the first ball in a contest after Aussie bowler Ernest McCormick during the 1930s.

The English preparation had been inadequate and in that instant of Australian jubilation England took a hit psychologically.

"My spirit simply fell to the floor," said paceman Stuart Broad, watching watching in the pavilion.

"You have built for these matches and bang, opening delivery, he is out."

The Ashes were lost in 11 additional days and the Australians won the series four-nil.

The Opener's Impact Shot

It is also unsurprising a skipper who reveled on "psychological warfare" thought events were determined through a similar event twenty-seven prior.

Steve Waugh with Australia aimed for their fourth Ashes win in a row as batsman Michael Slater started the 1994-95 series by decisively hitting England bowler Phil DeFreitas for four past the offside.

"It was like 'alright team here we go once more we've dominated already'," said the captain, who would feature every matches in three-one home win.

"Psychologically it felt like we're dominant now and we should continue pressing on. We know how to defeat these guys."

Ominous.

Harmison's Horror Wide

But what if that delivery proves just that - one among 10,000 or so beginning the series?

The wide Steve Harmison delivered to begin the 2006-07 series - where he sent the ball into the grasp of skipper Andrew Flintoff at the slips, nearly missing the cut strip completely - proved the most iconic Ashes series opener ever.

"I panicked," Harmison told media soon after.

"I let the pressure of the occasion overwhelm me. It all seemed so strange to me. My entire being felt tense."

"I couldn't get my hands to stop sweating. The first ball flew from my hands, the next did as well, then, following that, I possessed no control, zero."

The English had won the 2005 Ashes 15 months earlier but were resoundingly beaten five-nil. Some argue that series ended at that very instant.

"We weren't prepared enough to beat