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The opening ball of an Ashes series represents much more rather than just one ball.

It embodies a nerve-wracking three to three moments of pure excitement, where every bit of the pre-match talk ultimately ceases.

"To define the tone for the whole contest would prove really remarkable," remarked English paceman Gus Atkinson after questioned about the prospect lately.

"I know history shows multiple historic first-ball moments in Ashes matches. The chance to contribute to legacy would be cool."

Like the bowler explains, that first ball has delivered several of the truly iconic cricket occasions - events that appeared to set the tone or at least proved convenient to reflect upon later on...

Cummins Driving Through Cover Field

Zak Crawley had spent the build-up to the 2023 Ashes contemplating driving that opening delivery to a boundary - regarding hoping to "make a message."

Australia skipper Pat Cummins approached from the pavilion end and Crawley cracked a drive through cover field to thunderous cheers from English crowd.

"I've long been a big fan of the first ball in the Ashes," the opener explained.

"I was following it from childhood and I knew several weeks before that if we won coin toss it meant an excellent opportunity to receiving it."

"I discussed with Harry Brook regarding it when we were golfing on course - that it could be cool should I strike that first ball away to deliver an impact."

England may not have claimed that contest - and the Australians thrillingly won that first match during last day - but it was a hint of how Stokes' team would attack throughout the summer.

Burns and England Dismissed Early

That moment at Edgbaston has been one of the few opening deliveries to go in favor of England, though.

Significantly more often they have been telling indicators regarding the Australian dominance that would be following.

During 2021's tour, Mitchell Starc bowled England opener Rory Burns via a leg-stump full delivery at Brisbane becoming the initial pitcher claiming a dismissal on the first ball in a series after Australian seamer Ernest McCormick during the 1930s.

The English build-up was lacking and in that instant during Aussie jubilation England received a hit to their morale.

"My spirit simply plummeted dramatically," said bowler Stuart Broad, watching watching in the pavilion.

"You have built for this series then immediately, opening delivery, he is dismissed."

The series were gone in 11 more days and Australia won the series four-nil.

The Opener's Statement Delivery

It is also no surprise an Australian skipper who reveled on "psychological warfare" believed proceedings were determined by a similar incident 27 years earlier.

Steve Waugh and the Australians were seeking their fourth Ashes series win in a row when batsman Michael Slater began 1994's contest by emphatically driving England bowler Phil DeFreitas for four past the offside.

"It felt as if 'okay boys we're off once more we've got them already'," recalled Waugh, who would play all five matches in three-one home victory.

"Psychologically it felt like we are on top already and we should keep attacking. We understand how to defeat this team."

Ominous.

Harmison's Horror Wide

However what if the first ball is only that - a single in 10,000 or so beginning the series?

The wide Steve Harmison delivered to start 2006's series - when he sent the ball into the hands of skipper Andrew Flintoff at the slips, nearly avoiding the pitch in the process - became the most remembered Ashes first ball of all.

"I panicked," Harmison told journalists shortly after.

"I allowed the significance of the moment overwhelm me. Everything seemed so alien to me. My whole body was nervous."

"I could not get my grip to stop sweating. The first ball flew from my grasp, the next did as well, and, after that, I had no rhythm, nothing."

The English had won the 2005 Ashes fifteen months earlier yet were comprehensively defeated 5-0. Many argue that series ended at that very instant.

"We weren't prepared enough to defeat