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The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australia as the visitors secured a surprisingly comfortable victory in the opening Test of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s side had talked at length about their drive going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at Wembley. Yet, in the key instances, it was the world champions who showed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Display from Reece Walsh

Led by an outstanding showing in offense and defense from club star Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing winners in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning England must win at Goodison Park next weekend to sustain their aspirations of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

England will have to be much better with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in advantageous situations but they were unable to cross for any points. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two superb interceptions.

Key Moments of the Game

The initial occurred as Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback denied Mikey Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself finished a excellent play.

Nathan Cleary converted before kicking a penalty on the stroke of the interval to open up a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal point, as was the try for Crichton soon after the restart which made it 14-0 in favour of the Kangaroos. England now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their drive.

If there were any doubt about the victors, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Reece Walsh completed another scintillating move, exploiting a weary and visibly shot England defensive line for his second.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many did not see Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented the home side being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for the coach to answer going into what is now a do-or-die match next weekend.

• Home Side: Full team lineup.
• Interchange: Bench players.
• Tries: Daryl Clark.
• Conversion: Lewis.

• Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Interchange: Reserves.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).