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The home side's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a clinical Australian side as the tourists 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 first Ashes for over two decades, and they were definitely full of 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 Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Brilliant Display from Walsh

Guided by an outstanding display in attack and defence from club star Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable victors in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning England must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to keep alive their hopes of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

England will have to be much better with the possession if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the opening period, the home team found themselves in advantageous situations but they were failed to score for any points. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who executed two superb turnovers.

Crucial Plays of the Match

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

Nathan Cleary converted before kicking a two-pointer on the stroke of the interval to establish a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the score for Crichton soon after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the Kangaroos. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to stifle their momentum.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was supported by Angus Crichton, who broke through Jack Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Reece Walsh completed another breathtaking move, taking advantage of a weary and clearly exhausted England defense for his second try.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many missed Clark's consolation, which at least prevented England being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are many issues for Wane to address going into what is now a must-win Test next Saturday.

• Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Interchange: Bench players.
• Try: Clark.
• Goal: Lewis.

• Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Goals: Cleary 5.