Sports · 12 November 2025
The Ashes First Ball: From Death to Rebirth in Cricket's Greatest Rivalry
Hugh Chevallier via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
The Ashes rivalry began in 1882 after Australia’s first Test victory in England, sparking a mock obituary and a tradition where the opening delivery of each series carries deep meaning. Memorable first balls include Mitchell Starc’s dismissal of Rory Burns in 2021-22 and Shane Warne’s famous 1993 delivery to Mike Gatting, which was Warne’s debut Ashes ball and later dubbed the ‘Ball of the Century’. Every series opener reignites this long-standing contest and builds excitement for what follows.
Reported by Sky Sports · How we write briefs