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England's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australia as the visitors secured a surprisingly comfortable win in the first match of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s team had spoken effusively about their drive going into the first Ashes 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 record attendance for an Ashes Test in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Display from Walsh

Guided by an exceptional showing in attack and defence from club star Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing victors in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning England must triumph at Goodison Park next Saturday to keep alive their aspirations 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 first half, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were unable to cross for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two superb turnovers.

Key Moments of the Match

The initial occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback denied Mikey Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself finished a excellent move.

Cleary converted before adding a two-pointer on the brink of the interval to establish a eight-point lead. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Angus Crichton soon after the resumption which made it 14-0 in favor of the visitors. The hosts now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their drive.

If there were any doubt about the victors, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's half-break was supported by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Reece Walsh finished another scintillating attack, taking advantage of a tired and visibly shot England defense 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 avoided England finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for the coach to answer going into what is now a must-win Test next Saturday.

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

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