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The home side's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australia as the tourists swept to a surprisingly comfortable win in the opening Test of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s team had talked at length about their drive going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on effort at Wembley. However, in the key instances, it was the world champions who showed more calmness in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Brilliant Performance from Walsh

Guided by an outstanding display in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable winners in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning England must triumph at Goodison Park next Saturday to sustain their aspirations of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

They will have to be much better with the ball if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the opening period, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful turnovers.

Crucial Plays of the Game

The initial came as Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh denied Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself finished a wonderful move.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before kicking a two-pointer on the brink of the interval to establish a eight-point lead. It was a significant point, as was the score for Angus Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the visitors. England now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their drive.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour 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 added disappointment in the closing stages as Reece Walsh finished another breathtaking move, exploiting a weary and clearly exhausted England defensive line for his second try.

Final Score and Looking Ahead

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many missed Clark's consolation, which at least prevented England being held to nil. However, there are plenty of questions for the coach to address going into what is now a do-or-die Test next weekend.

• Home Side: Full team lineup.
• Interchange: Bench players.
• Try: Clark.
• Conversion: Lewis.

• Australia: Starting lineup.
• Bench: Reserves.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).