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England's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australia as the visitors swept to a worryingly straightforward victory in the first match of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s team had spoken effusively about their motivation 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 reigning title holders who displayed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an series match in the UK of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Display from Walsh

Led by an exceptional showing in attack and defence from club star Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos 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 series victory since 1970.

England will have to be much better with the ball if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the first half, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two superb interceptions.

Key Moments of the Match

The first came as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself completed a wonderful play.

Cleary added the extras before kicking a penalty on the brink of the interval to open up a two-score lead. It was a pivotal point, as was the try for Crichton soon after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the visitors. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Munster's line 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 final minutes as Walsh finished another scintillating attack, taking advantage of a tired and clearly exhausted England defense for his second.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many did not see Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least avoided England finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for the coach to answer going into what is now a must-win match next Saturday.

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

• Australia: 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).
• Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).