Burns Dismissed on his Opening Delivery in the Ashes
That initial delivery in a series proves much more than simply a single pitch.
It signifies a nerve-wracking three to three seconds of pure theatre, where all of the pre-series discussion ultimately ends.
"To set that tone throughout the entire contest would be truly remarkable," remarked English paceman Gus Atkinson after questioned about this prospect recently.
"I understand history shows multiple iconic first-ball occasions during Ashes cricket matches. The opportunity to contribute that legacy seems amazing."
As the bowler notes, the first ball has created some of the truly memorable Ashes occasions - events that appeared to set the storyline or at least proved easy to reference later on...
The Captain Smashing Through Cover Field
Skipper Ben Stokes closed innings on 393 for 8 just before stumps during the first day in 2023's Ashes contest
Zak Crawley dedicated his lead-up for 2023's Ashes series planning striking the first ball to a boundary - about hoping to "make a message."
Australian skipper Pat Cummins charged in from the pavilion end and Crawley hammered a shot past the covers amid deafening applause from English supporters.
"I've always been a big admirer of the first ball of the Ashes," Crawley shared.
"I was watching it from childhood so I knew a couple of weeks before that should we won the toss it meant a good possibility to facing that ball."
"I chatted to Brooky regarding this when we played golfing in Scotland - saying it could be special should I strike the first one for runs and deliver an impact."
England may not have claimed the contest - and Australia thrillingly won the opening Test during the final day - but it was a glimpse at how Ben Stokes' team planned to play aggressively during the series.
The Opener & English Dismissed Early
England were dismissed to 147 runs during day one in 2021's series
This occasion at Edgbaston remains among the few first deliveries that went the way of the English, though.
Much more often they have been telling indicators regarding Australia's control that was ahead.
During 2021's series, Mitchell Starc bowled English batsman Rory Burns via a full delivery at the Gabba to become the initial bowler to take a wicket with the opening delivery of a contest after Aussie bowler Ernest McCormick in the 1930s.
England's preparation was poor so at that moment during Aussie celebration the tourists took a blow to their morale.
"My confidence simply plummeted dramatically," recalled bowler Stuart Broad, who was observing in the pavilion.
"You have worked for this series and bang, first ball, he is out."
The series were lost in 11 additional days while Australia claimed the contest 4-0.
The Opener's Statement Delivery
Slater scored 176 runs during innings one in the 1994-95 Ashes, after driven the opening ball in the contest for four
It's also no surprise a captain who reveled on "mental disintegration" thought events were determined through a similar incident 27 prior.
Steve Waugh and Australia were seeking their fourth Ashes win consecutively when opener Michael Slater began 1994's contest by decisively crunching English seamer Phil DeFreitas for four past the offside.
"It was as if 'alright team here we go again we have dominated now'," said the captain, who would feature all five matches in a 3-1 domestic win.
"Psychologically it was like we are on top now so let's just continue attacking. We know how to defeat these guys."
Significant.
The Bowler's Horror Wide
The Australians made 602 for 9 declared during innings one following Harmison's wide, as skipper Ricky Ponting making 196 runs
However what if the first delivery proves just that - one in 10,000 or more beginning the contest?
The wide Steve Harmison delivered to start the 2006-07 series - where he hurled the ball toward the hands of captain Andrew Flintoff in second slip, almost avoiding the cut strip completely - became the most famous Ashes series first ball of all.
"I froze," Harmison explained media shortly after.
"I let the significance of the occasion get to me. Everything seemed so unfamiliar for me. My entire being felt tense."
"I could not stop my grip from sweating. The first ball slipped from my grasp, the second did as well, and, after that, I had no rhythm, zero."
England claimed 2005's series 15 before but were resoundingly beaten 5-0. Many contend that Ashes were lost at that exact moment.
"We simply weren't skilled enough to defeat
