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The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australian side as the visitors swept to a worryingly straightforward win in the opening Test of the Ashes.

The England coach's team had talked at length about their drive going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at the famous stadium. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Performance from Reece Walsh

Guided by an exceptional display in attack and defence from club star Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning England must triumph at Goodison Park next weekend to keep alive their hopes of a series victory since 1970.

England will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the opening period, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two wonderful turnovers.

Key Moments of the Game

The first came as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback denied Mikey Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Walsh himself completed a wonderful move.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before adding a two-pointer on the brink of the interval to open up a two-score advantage. It was a significant point, as was the score for Crichton soon after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the Kangaroos. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their drive.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's half-break was supported by Angus Crichton, who broke through Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Walsh completed another scintillating attack, exploiting a weary and visibly shot England defensive line for his second.

Final Score and Looking Ahead

By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many did not see Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least avoided the home side being held to nil. However, there are many issues for Wane to address 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.
• Substitutes: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Tries: Clark.
• Goal: Mikey Lewis.

• Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Interchange: Reserves.
• Scores: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Goals: Cleary 5.