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The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australia as the tourists swept to a worryingly straightforward win in the opening Test of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s side had spoken effusively about their drive going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on effort at Wembley. Yet, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who showed 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 display in offense and defense from club star Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable winners in the opening Test 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 the 1970s.

England will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the first half, the hosts 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 superb interceptions.

Key Moments of the Match

The initial occurred as Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then the fullback stopped Mikey Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Walsh himself completed a excellent move.

Cleary added the extras before adding a two-pointer on the stroke of the interval to establish a two-score lead. It was a significant moment, as was the score for Angus Crichton shortly after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the Kangaroos. The hosts now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. 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 Walsh finished another breathtaking move, taking advantage of a weary and visibly shot English defensive line for his second try.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many did not see Clark's consolation, which at least avoided the home side being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for the coach to address going into what is now a do-or-die Test next Saturday.

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

• Australia: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Cleary 5.