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The home side's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australia as the tourists swept to a surprisingly comfortable win in the opening Test of the Ashes.

The England coach's team had talked at length about their drive going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on effort at Wembley. However, in the key instances, it was the world champions who showed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the UK of more than 60,000.

Brilliant Display from Reece Walsh

Led by an outstanding display in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing victors in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning England must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to sustain their hopes of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

They will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in advantageous situations but they were unable to cross for any points. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two wonderful interceptions.

Key Moments of the Match

The first came as Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh stopped Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself finished a wonderful move.

Cleary converted before kicking a two-pointer on the brink of half-time to establish a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the try for Angus Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it 14-0 in favour of the visitors. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to stifle their drive.

If there were any doubt about the victors, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's half-break was backed up by Crichton, who broke through Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Walsh finished another scintillating move, exploiting a weary and visibly shot English defense for his second.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many missed Clark's consolation, which at least avoided the home side finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for Wane to answer going into what is now a must-win match next weekend.

• Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Substitutes: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Tries: Clark.
• Goal: Mikey Lewis.

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