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The home side's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australia as the tourists secured a surprisingly comfortable win in the opening Test of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s team had spoken effusively about their drive going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were definitely full of effort at Wembley. Yet, in the key instances, it was the world champions who showed more composure in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the UK of more than 60,000.

Brilliant Display from Reece Walsh

Guided by an outstanding display in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ 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 sustain their hopes of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

England will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the first half, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were unable to cross for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who executed two wonderful interceptions.

Key Moments of the Game

The first occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Walsh himself finished a wonderful play.

Cleary converted before kicking a penalty on the stroke of half-time to open up a eight-point lead. It was a pivotal moment, as was the try for Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the visitors. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their drive.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's line break was supported by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Walsh finished another scintillating attack, exploiting a tired and clearly exhausted England defensive line for his second try.

Match Result and Looking Ahead

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many missed Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least prevented the home side finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for the coach to address going into what is now a must-win match next Saturday.

• England: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Tries: Daryl Clark.
• Conversion: Mikey Lewis.

• Australia: Starting lineup.
• Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Cleary 5.