'Thumped on the up through cover-point!'
How ESPNcricinfo's ball-by-ball commentary has recorded the first ball of men's Ashes series
ESPNcricinfo staff
16-Jun-2023
Zak Crawley drove the first ball of the match for four • Getty Images
For DeFreitas to Slater in 1994-95, will we one day be reading Cummins to Crawley 2023? The first ball of an Ashes series has long held a degree of mystique, and today's long-awaited opener was no exception. Here's how ESPNcricinfo's ball-by-ball commentary has covered those moments since the start of the epic summer of 2005
Lord's, 2005
0.1, Harmison to Langer, no run
Just short of a good length and outside the off stump, Langer watches the ball carefully and lets it go through to the wicketkeeper, and with that the Ashes are finally underway!
0.1, Harmison to Langer, no run
Just short of a good length and outside the off stump, Langer watches the ball carefully and lets it go through to the wicketkeeper, and with that the Ashes are finally underway!
The Gabba, 2006-07
0.1, Harmison to Langer, 1 wide
And it's wild and woolly, a massive wide taken by first slip. Welcome back to Australia, Steve.
0.1, Harmison to Langer, 1 wide
And it's wild and woolly, a massive wide taken by first slip. Welcome back to Australia, Steve.
Cardiff, 2009
0.1, Johnson to Strauss, no run
Starts with a decent length, if a touch too wide of the left-hander's off stump, and it's left alone
0.1, Johnson to Strauss, no run
Starts with a decent length, if a touch too wide of the left-hander's off stump, and it's left alone
The Gabba, 2010-11
0.1, Hilfenhaus to Strauss, no run
Is it Harmison-esque? No it's not! A straightforward start outside off stump from Hilfenhaus, Strauss leaves it alone and the keeper takes it - not second slip.
0.1, Hilfenhaus to Strauss, no run
Is it Harmison-esque? No it's not! A straightforward start outside off stump from Hilfenhaus, Strauss leaves it alone and the keeper takes it - not second slip.
Trent Bridge, 2013
0.1, Pattinson to Cook, 1 wide
It's a wide! Not quite Steve Harmison, but Pattinson starts with a very short, loopy bouncer.
0.1, Pattinson to Cook, 1 wide
It's a wide! Not quite Steve Harmison, but Pattinson starts with a very short, loopy bouncer.
The Gabba, 2013-14
0.1, Anderson to Rogers, no run
Good start by Anderson, full at off stump, hint of movement in the air, Rogers shuffles across and defends quite late, the ball runs to gully
0.1, Anderson to Rogers, no run
Good start by Anderson, full at off stump, hint of movement in the air, Rogers shuffles across and defends quite late, the ball runs to gully
Cardiff, 2015
0.1, Starc to Lyth, no run
Starts with a short ball loosener, 87mph, outside off and loops gently through to Haddin as Lyth drops his hands.
0.1, Starc to Lyth, no run
Starts with a short ball loosener, 87mph, outside off and loops gently through to Haddin as Lyth drops his hands.
The Gabba, 2017-18
0.1, Starc to Cook, no run
Good line, tight to off stump and good carry through, but not express. Cook leaves alone, as you'd expect.
0.1, Starc to Cook, no run
Good line, tight to off stump and good carry through, but not express. Cook leaves alone, as you'd expect.
Edgbaston, 2019
0.1, Anderson to Bancroft, no run
Finds a good length and immediately has the ball shaping away, excellent line to the right-hander, who leaves.
0.1, Anderson to Bancroft, no run
Finds a good length and immediately has the ball shaping away, excellent line to the right-hander, who leaves.
The Gabba, 2021/22
0.1, Starc to Burns, OUT
Knocks him over first ball! Full yorker which crashes into the base of leg stump. Burns is nowhere, falling over to the off side as he looks to clip off the pads. Angled into the left-hander from over the wicket, but this actually tailed away late and sharply to hit the base of leg stump. What a start from Starc!
0.1, Starc to Burns, OUT
Knocks him over first ball! Full yorker which crashes into the base of leg stump. Burns is nowhere, falling over to the off side as he looks to clip off the pads. Angled into the left-hander from over the wicket, but this actually tailed away late and sharply to hit the base of leg stump. What a start from Starc!
Edgbaston, 2023
0.1, Cummins to Crawley, FOUR runs
Thumped on the up through cover-point! What a shot! Decent length, a lot of width, he strides out and climbs into an amazing cover drive on the up!
0.1, Cummins to Crawley, FOUR runs
Thumped on the up through cover-point! What a shot! Decent length, a lot of width, he strides out and climbs into an amazing cover drive on the up!