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England's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australian side as the visitors swept to a surprisingly comfortable win in the first match of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s side had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at the famous stadium. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who displayed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Performance from Reece Walsh

Led by an outstanding display in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners in the first match of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must triumph at Goodison Park next Saturday to sustain their hopes of a first Ashes win since 1970.

They will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to achieve that. 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 large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful interceptions.

Key Moments of the Game

The initial occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself completed a wonderful play.

Cleary converted before kicking a two-pointer on the stroke of half-time to open up a eight-point lead. 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. England now had to score three times 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. Cameron Munster’s half-break was supported by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Walsh completed another scintillating attack, taking advantage of a tired and visibly shot English defense for his second.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many did not see Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least avoided England finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for Wane to answer going into what is now a do-or-die Test next weekend.

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

• Australia: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Reserves.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).