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England's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australia as the tourists secured a surprisingly comfortable win in the opening Test of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s side had talked at length about their drive going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on effort at the famous stadium. However, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more composure in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Performance from Reece Walsh

Guided by an outstanding showing in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ 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 keep alive their hopes of a series victory since 1970.

They will have to be much better with the possession if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Match

The first came as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then the fullback denied Mikey Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself finished a excellent play.

Cleary converted before adding a penalty on the stroke of the interval to establish a eight-point lead. It was a significant moment, as was the try for Crichton shortly after the restart which made it 14-0 in favor of the Kangaroos. The hosts now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their drive.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were firmly put to bed with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was supported by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Walsh finished another breathtaking attack, exploiting a tired and clearly exhausted English defense for his second try.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many missed Clark's late try, which at least avoided the home side finishing scoreless. However, there are plenty of questions for the coach to address 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: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Try: Daryl Clark.
• Goal: Mikey Lewis.

• Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Bench: Reserves.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).