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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 win in the opening Test of the Ashes.

The England coach's side had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were definitely full of effort at Wembley. However, in the crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who showed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Display from Walsh

Led by an outstanding showing in attack and defence from club star Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable victors in the first match of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to keep alive their hopes of a first Ashes win since 1970.

England will have to be much better with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the first half, the hosts 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 superb turnovers.

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 Mikey Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Walsh himself completed a excellent play.

Cleary added the extras before kicking a two-pointer on the brink of half-time to open up a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the try for Crichton soon after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the Kangaroos. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to stifle their drive.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Walsh completed another scintillating move, exploiting a tired and visibly shot England defensive line for his second try.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many did not see Clark's late try, which at least prevented the home side being held to nil. However, there are plenty of questions for the coach to address going into what is now a must-win match next weekend.

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

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