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England's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australia as the visitors secured a worryingly straightforward win in the first match of the Ashes.

The England coach's team had spoken effusively about their drive going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were definitely full of endeavour at Wembley. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who showed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an series match in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Performance from Reece Walsh

Guided by an exceptional display in attack and defence from club star Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing winners in the first match of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must triumph at Goodison Park next weekend to sustain their hopes of a series victory 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 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 wonderful interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Match

The initial occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback denied Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Walsh himself completed a excellent move.

Cleary added the extras before adding a two-pointer on the brink of half-time to establish a eight-point advantage. It was a significant moment, as was the score for Angus Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the visitors. The hosts now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their drive.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's half-break was supported by Angus 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 finished another breathtaking move, taking advantage of a tired and clearly exhausted England defensive line for his second try.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many missed Clark's consolation, which at least prevented the home side finishing scoreless. However, there are plenty of questions for Wane to answer 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.
• Substitutes: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Tries: Clark.
• Conversion: Mikey Lewis.

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Cleary 5.