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The home side's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a clinical Australia as the tourists secured a surprisingly comfortable victory in the opening Test of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s team had talked at length about their drive going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were definitely full of endeavour at Wembley. Yet, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Performance from Reece Walsh

Led by an exceptional showing in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing victors in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to sustain their hopes of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

England will have to be much better with the ball if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the first half, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were unable to cross for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two superb turnovers.

Key Moments of the Game

The initial occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself completed a wonderful play.

Cleary converted before adding a two-pointer on the brink of the interval to establish a eight-point advantage. It was a significant point, as was the score for Angus Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the Kangaroos. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their momentum.

If there were any doubt about the victors, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes 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 added disappointment in the closing stages as Walsh finished another breathtaking move, exploiting a tired and clearly exhausted England defense for his second.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many did not see Clark's late try, which at least avoided England being held to nil. However, there are plenty of questions for the coach to answer going into what is now a do-or-die match next Saturday.

• England: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Substitutes: Bench players.
• Try: Daryl Clark.
• Conversion: Mikey Lewis.

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