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The home side's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australia as the visitors swept to a surprisingly comfortable victory in the first match of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s side had talked at length about their motivation going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were definitely full of endeavour at Wembley. However, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more composure in front of a record attendance for an series match in the UK of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Display from Reece Walsh

Guided by an outstanding display in attack and defence from club star Reece Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing winners in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning England must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to keep alive their hopes of a series victory since the 1970s.

They will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two wonderful interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Match

The initial occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh denied Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Walsh himself completed a excellent move.

Nathan Cleary converted before adding a two-pointer on the brink of half-time to open up a two-score advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the score for Crichton soon after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the visitors. England now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their momentum.

If there were any doubt about the victors, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's line break was supported by Angus Crichton, who broke through Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Walsh finished another breathtaking move, exploiting a weary and clearly exhausted English defensive line for his second.

Final Score and Looking Ahead

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many missed Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented the home side being held to nil. However, there are plenty of questions for the coach to address going into what is now a do-or-die match next weekend.

• England: Full team lineup.
• Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Tries: Clark.
• Goal: Lewis.

• Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Interchange: Reserves.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).