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The first delivery in a contest proves far more than merely a single delivery.

It represents a nerve-wracking three or four seconds of sheer theatre, when all of pre-contest talk finally ends.

"To define the atmosphere for the whole series would be really cool," commented English bowler Gus Atkinson after asked regarding the prospect recently.

"I understand we've witnessed multiple historic opening-delivery occasions during Ashes matches. The opportunity to add that tradition seems cool."

As Atkinson notes, the first delivery has created some of the truly iconic cricket occasions - events that seemed to establish the storyline or minimum became convenient to reflect upon afterwards...

The Captain Smashing Past the Covers

Zak Crawley dedicated the lead-up for 2023's Ashes series thinking about driving the first ball to four runs - regarding wanting to "deliver a statement."

Australia skipper Pat Cummins charged in from Edgbaston and the batsman drilled a shot past cover field to thunderous applause from the England supporters.

"I've always remained an enormous fan of the first ball of the Ashes," the opener revealed.

"I've been following them since growing up so I realized a couple weeks before if should we won the toss it meant a good possibility of receiving it."

"I chatted with Brooky about it when we played golfing on course - saying it could be special should I get the first one for runs and make an impact."

The English may not have won that series - while the Australians thrillingly won the opening match on the final day - but it was a hint at the way Ben Stokes' team would play aggressively during the summer.

Burns & English Bowled Over

That instance at Edgbaston remains among the few opening salvos to go the way of the English, though.

Significantly more typically they have been telling signs regarding the Australian superiority that would be to come.

During the 2021-22 series, Mitchell Starc bowled English batsman Rory Burns via a half-volley at Brisbane becoming the first bowler to take a dismissal on the first ball in a series after Aussie bowler Ernest McCormick during the 1930s.

The English preparation had been lacking and in that point during Aussie elation the tourists took a punch to the stomach.

"My emotion simply dropped immediately," said paceman Stuart Broad, who was observing in the pavilion.

"We had prepared toward this series and bang, opening delivery, he's dismissed."

The series were gone in 11 additional days and Australia claimed the series four-nil.

Slater's Impact Delivery

It's also unsurprising an Australian captain who reveled in "mental disintegration" believed events were determined through a similar event 27 prior.

Steve Waugh with Australia were seeking their fourth Ashes series victory in a row as batsman Michael Slater started the 1994-95 contest by decisively driving English seamer Phil DeFreitas for four through backward point.

"It was as if 'alright boys we're off once more we've dominated already'," recalled the captain, who would play all five Tests during a 3-1 home victory.

"Psychologically it felt like we're dominant already so let's just continue pressing on. We know how we defeat this team."

Ominous.

The Bowler's Horror Delivery

But what if that delivery is only that - a single in ten thousand or so to start the series?

The wide Steve Harmison delivered to start the 2006-07 Ashes - where he hurled the ball toward the hands of skipper Andrew Flintoff at the slips, almost avoiding the cut strip in the process - became the most iconic Ashes opener ever.

"I panicked," the bowler explained media soon after.

"I let the pressure of the occasion overwhelm me. Everything seemed so unfamiliar for me. My whole being felt tense."

"I could not get my grip from being sweaty. The first ball flew out of my hands, the second did as well, then, after that, I possessed no consistency, nothing."

England had won the 2005 Ashes 15 months earlier but were comprehensively defeated five-nil. Some believe that series were lost in that very moment.

"We weren't good enough to beat