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

Shaun Wane’s side had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were definitely full of effort at Wembley. However, in the key instances, it was the world champions who displayed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Brilliant Display from Reece Walsh

Guided by an outstanding display in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing victors in the first match of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must win 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 ball if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the first half, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were unable to cross for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two superb interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Game

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

Nathan Cleary added the extras before kicking a penalty on the stroke of half-time to open up a eight-point lead. It was a pivotal point, as was the try for Angus Crichton soon after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the visitors. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their momentum.

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

That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Reece Walsh completed another breathtaking move, taking advantage of a weary and visibly shot English defense for his second try.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many missed Clark's consolation, which at least prevented England finishing scoreless. However, there are plenty of questions for Wane to answer going into what is now a must-win Test next Saturday.

• England: Full team lineup.
• Substitutes: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Try: Daryl Clark.
• Conversion: Lewis.

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