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The home side's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australia as the tourists swept to a surprisingly comfortable win in the first match of the Ashes.

The England coach's team had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were definitely full of endeavour at Wembley. However, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who displayed more composure in front of a historic crowd 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 Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing victors in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning England must win at Goodison Park next Saturday to keep alive their hopes of a series victory since the 1970s.

England will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful interceptions.

Key Moments of the Match

The first occurred as Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback denied Mikey Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself completed a wonderful move.

Cleary added the extras before kicking a penalty on the stroke of the interval to open up a eight-point advantage. It was a significant point, as was the score for Angus Crichton soon after the resumption which made it 14-0 in favour of the Kangaroos. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their drive.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's line break was supported by Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

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

Final Score and Looking Ahead

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many did not see Clark's consolation, which at least avoided the home side finishing scoreless. However, there are many issues for the coach to answer going into what is now a must-win Test next Saturday.

• England: Full team lineup.
• Substitutes: Bench players.
• Try: Daryl Clark.
• Conversion: Lewis.

• Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Bench: Reserves.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Cleary 5.