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England's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australia as the visitors secured a worryingly straightforward win in the opening Test of the Ashes.

The England coach's team had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at Wembley. However, in the crucial moments, 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.

Outstanding Display from Walsh

Guided by an outstanding display in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable victors in the first match of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to sustain 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 opening period, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who executed two superb interceptions.

Key Moments of the Match

The first occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback denied Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself finished a wonderful play.

Nathan Cleary converted before adding a penalty on the brink of half-time to open up a two-score advantage. It was a significant point, as was the try for Crichton shortly after the restart which made it 14-0 in favor of the Kangaroos. England now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their momentum.

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 backed up 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 Walsh completed another breathtaking move, exploiting a weary and clearly exhausted England defense for his second try.

Final Score and Outlook

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

• England: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Try: Daryl Clark.
• Conversion: Mikey Lewis.

• Australia: Starting lineup.
• Bench: Reserves.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Cleary 5.