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England's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australia as the visitors secured a worryingly straightforward victory in the opening Test of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s team had spoken effusively about their drive going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on effort at Wembley. However, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who showed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Performance from Walsh

Led by an outstanding showing in attack and defence from club star Reece Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing victors in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must win at Goodison Park next Saturday to keep alive their aspirations of a first Ashes win since 1970.

England will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were unable to cross for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two superb turnovers.

Crucial Plays of the Game

The first occurred as Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself finished a excellent play.

Cleary added the extras before adding a two-pointer on the brink of the interval to establish a eight-point lead. It was a significant point, as was the score for Angus Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the visitors. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's half-break was supported by Crichton, who broke through Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Reece Walsh completed another scintillating move, taking advantage of a tired and visibly shot English defensive line for his second try.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many did not see Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least prevented England being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for the coach to answer going into what is now a must-win match next Saturday.

• England: Full team lineup.
• Substitutes: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Try: Daryl Clark.
• Conversion: Lewis.

• Australia: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Reserves.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Cleary 5.