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The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australian side as the tourists swept to a surprisingly comfortable victory in the opening Test of the Ashes.

The England coach's team had talked at length about their motivation going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on effort at Wembley. However, in the key instances, it was the world champions who displayed more composure in front of a record attendance for an series match in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Display from Walsh

Guided by an exceptional display in offense and defense from club star Reece Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable victors in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must win at Goodison Park next Saturday to keep alive their aspirations of a first Ashes win since 1970.

They will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in advantageous situations but they were unable to cross for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two wonderful 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 Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself completed a wonderful move.

Nathan Cleary converted before kicking a two-pointer on the brink of the interval to establish a eight-point advantage. It was a significant point, as was the score for Crichton soon after the restart which made it 14-0 in favor of the visitors. The hosts now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their momentum.

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

That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Reece Walsh finished another breathtaking move, exploiting a weary and clearly exhausted England defense for his second try.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many missed Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least avoided the home side finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for the coach to answer going into what is now a do-or-die Test next Saturday.

• England: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Interchange: Bench players.
• Try: Clark.
• Goal: Lewis.

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).