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The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australia as the visitors swept to a worryingly straightforward win in the opening Test of the Ashes.

The England coach's team had spoken effusively about their drive going into the first Ashes 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.

Outstanding Performance from Reece Walsh

Led by an outstanding showing in offense and defense from club star Reece Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing winners in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning England must triumph at Goodison Park next weekend to keep alive their aspirations of a first Ashes win since 1970.

England will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the first half, the home team found themselves in advantageous situations but they were unable to cross for any points. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful interceptions.

Key Moments of the Match

The first occurred as Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback stopped Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself finished a excellent play.

Nathan Cleary converted before kicking a penalty on the stroke of the interval to open up a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the score for Crichton shortly after the restart which made it 14-0 in favour of the visitors. The hosts now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's half-break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Walsh finished another breathtaking attack, taking advantage of a weary and visibly shot England defensive line for his second.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many missed Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least avoided England finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for the coach to address going into what is now a do-or-die Test next weekend.

• England: Full team lineup.
• Interchange: Bench players.
• Tries: Daryl 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).
• Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).