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

Shaun Wane’s side had talked at length about their drive going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at Wembley. Yet, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more calmness in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Display from Reece Walsh

Guided by an outstanding display in attack and defence from club star Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing victors in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning England must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to sustain their hopes of a series victory since 1970.

England will have to be much better with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the first half, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful turnovers.

Key Moments of the Match

The initial came as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined 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 Australians had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself finished a excellent play.

Nathan Cleary converted before kicking a penalty on the stroke of half-time to open up a two-score lead. It was a pivotal 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 drive.

Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was supported by Angus Crichton, who broke through Jack Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

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

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 prevented England being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for Wane to answer going into what is now a do-or-die match next Saturday.

• England: Full team lineup.
• Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Tries: Clark.
• Conversion: Lewis.

• Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Interchange: Reserves.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).