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England's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australian side as the visitors swept to a worryingly straightforward win in the opening Test of the Ashes.

The England coach's side had spoken effusively about their drive going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on effort at Wembley. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who displayed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Performance from Reece Walsh

Guided by an exceptional showing in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable victors in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must triumph at Goodison Park next weekend to keep alive their hopes of a series victory since the 1970s.

They will have to be much better 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 failed to score for any points. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two superb turnovers.

Crucial Plays of the Game

The initial came as Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then the fullback denied Mikey Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself finished a excellent move.

Nathan Cleary converted before kicking a two-pointer on the stroke of half-time to establish a two-score advantage. It was a significant moment, as was the score for Crichton shortly after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the visitors. The hosts now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their drive.

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

That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Walsh completed another scintillating attack, exploiting a tired and visibly shot English defense for his second.

Match Result and Looking Ahead

By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many missed Clark's late try, which at least prevented England finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for the coach to answer going into what is now a must-win match next weekend.

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

• Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Cleary 5.