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The home side's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a clinical Australian side as the tourists swept to a worryingly straightforward victory in the first match of the Ashes.

The England coach'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 the famous stadium. However, in the key instances, it was the world champions who showed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an series match in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Performance from Reece Walsh

Led by an exceptional display in attack and defence from club star Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable victors in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to keep alive their hopes of a series victory since the 1970s.

England will have to be much better with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the home team 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 pulled off two wonderful interceptions.

Key Moments of the Game

The initial came 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 gone ahead as Walsh himself completed a wonderful play.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before kicking a two-pointer on the stroke of half-time to establish a two-score lead. It was a significant moment, as was the score for Angus Crichton soon after the resumption which made it 14-0 in favor of the visitors. England now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their drive.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Munster's half-break was backed up by Angus 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 English defense for his second.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many did not see Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least avoided England being held to nil. However, there are many issues for Wane to answer going into what is now a do-or-die match next Saturday.

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

• Australia: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Reserves.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).