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The home side's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australia as the visitors secured a worryingly straightforward 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 effort at the famous stadium. Yet, 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 United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Display from Reece Walsh

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

England will have to be much better with the possession if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the opening period, 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 Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Walsh himself completed a excellent move.

Cleary converted before kicking a two-pointer on the brink of half-time to open up a two-score lead. It was a significant moment, 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 cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their momentum.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was supported by Crichton, who broke through Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Walsh finished another scintillating attack, exploiting a weary and clearly exhausted English defensive line for his second.

Final Score and Looking Ahead

By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many did not see Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least prevented the home side finishing scoreless. However, there are plenty of questions for Wane 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.
• Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Tries: Clark.
• Conversion: Mikey Lewis.

• Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Scores: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Kicks: Cleary 5.