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The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australia as the visitors swept to a surprisingly comfortable win in the first match of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s team had talked at length about their motivation going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on effort at Wembley. However, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who showed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Performance from Reece Walsh

Led by an outstanding showing in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners 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 series victory since 1970.

England will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the opening period, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any points. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two superb interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Match

The initial came as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then the fullback denied Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself finished a excellent move.

Cleary added the extras before adding a two-pointer on the stroke of the interval to open up a two-score advantage. It was a significant point, as was the score for Crichton soon after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the visitors. The hosts now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their momentum.

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 broke through Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Reece Walsh finished another scintillating move, taking advantage of a weary and visibly shot English defense for his second.

Final Score and Looking Ahead

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many missed Clark's consolation, which at least avoided the home side finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for the coach to address going into what is now a must-win Test next weekend.

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

• Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Bench: Reserves.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Cleary 5.