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The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australian side as the tourists secured a worryingly straightforward victory in the opening Test of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s side had talked at length about their motivation going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were definitely full of effort at the famous stadium. However, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who showed more composure in front of a record attendance for an series match in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Performance from Walsh

Led by an exceptional showing in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable victors in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must win at Goodison Park next weekend 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 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 points. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful 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 half-time neared. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Walsh himself completed a excellent move.

Cleary converted before kicking a two-pointer on the brink of half-time to open up a eight-point advantage. It was a significant point, as was the try for Crichton soon after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the visitors. England now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their drive.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's line break was backed up by Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Reece Walsh finished another scintillating attack, taking advantage of a tired and visibly shot English defense for his second.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many did not see Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least avoided England finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for the coach to address going into what is now a must-win Test next weekend.

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

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