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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 victory in the opening Test of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s team had talked at length about their motivation going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were definitely full of endeavour at the famous stadium. Yet, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who showed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Performance from Walsh

Led by an outstanding showing in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable victors in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning England must win at Goodison Park next Saturday to keep alive their hopes of a first Ashes win 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 advantageous situations but they were failed to score for any points. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two superb turnovers.

Crucial Plays of the Match

The initial came as Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback stopped Mikey Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Walsh himself finished a excellent move.

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

If there were any doubt about the victors, they were firmly put to bed with 15 minutes to go. 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 closing stages as Walsh finished another breathtaking move, exploiting a tired and visibly shot English defensive line for his second.

Final Score and Looking Ahead

By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many missed Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least avoided the home side being held to nil. However, there are plenty of questions for the coach to address going into what is now a must-win Test next weekend.

• Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Substitutes: Bench players.
• Tries: Clark.
• Goal: Mikey Lewis.

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Goals: Cleary 5.