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The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australian side as the tourists secured a worryingly straightforward victory 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 endeavour at Wembley. However, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who displayed more calmness in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Display from Walsh

Guided by an outstanding showing in attack and defence from club star Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing victors in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to sustain their hopes of a first Ashes win since 1970.

England will have to be significantly improved with the possession 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 large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two superb turnovers.

Key Moments of the Game

The initial occurred as Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then the fullback denied Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Walsh himself finished a wonderful move.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before adding a penalty on the stroke of half-time to open up a two-score advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the try for Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it 14-0 in favor of the Kangaroos. The hosts now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their drive.

Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was backed up by Crichton, who broke through Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Reece Walsh finished another scintillating move, taking advantage of a weary and visibly shot England defense for his second try.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many did not see Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least avoided the home side finishing scoreless. However, there are plenty of questions for the coach to answer going into what is now a must-win Test next Saturday.

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

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Reserves.
• Scores: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).