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England's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australian side as the visitors secured a surprisingly comfortable victory in the first match of the Ashes.

The England coach's team had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were definitely full of endeavour at Wembley. However, in the crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Performance from Walsh

Guided by an outstanding display in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners in the first match of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must win at Goodison Park next Saturday to keep alive their hopes of a first Ashes win since 1970.

They will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the opening period, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any points. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who executed two wonderful turnovers.

Key Moments of the Game

The initial occurred as Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback stopped Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself completed a excellent play.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before kicking a two-pointer on the stroke of half-time to open up a two-score advantage. It was a significant moment, as was the score for Angus Crichton soon after the resumption which made it 14-0 in favor 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 winners, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Munster's line break was supported by Angus Crichton, who broke through Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Reece Walsh completed another breathtaking move, taking advantage of a weary and visibly shot English defense for his second.

Final Score 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. However, there are plenty of questions for the coach to answer going into what is now a must-win match next Saturday.

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

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