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The home side's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australia as the visitors secured a worryingly straightforward victory in the opening Test 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 endeavour at Wembley. However, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an series match in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Display from Reece Walsh

Led by an outstanding showing in attack and defence from club star Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to sustain their aspirations of a series victory since 1970.

They will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were unable to cross for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful turnovers.

Crucial Plays of the Match

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

Nathan Cleary added the extras before kicking a two-pointer on the brink of half-time to establish a two-score advantage. It was a significant moment, as was the try for Angus Crichton soon after the resumption which made it 14-0 in favour of the Kangaroos. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their drive.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s half-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 closing stages as Walsh completed another scintillating move, taking advantage of a weary and visibly shot English defense for his second try.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many did not see Clark's late try, which at least avoided the home side finishing scoreless. However, there are many issues for Wane to answer going into what is now a do-or-die match next Saturday.

• England: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Interchange: Bench players.
• Try: Clark.
• Conversion: Lewis.

• Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Interchange: Reserves.
• Scores: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).