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

The England coach's side had spoken effusively about their drive going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on effort at the famous stadium. Yet, in the key instances, it was the world champions who displayed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Performance from Reece Walsh

Guided by an exceptional display in attack and defence from club star Reece Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing victors in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning England must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to keep alive their aspirations 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 unable to cross for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who pulled off 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 opening try, then Walsh stopped Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself completed a excellent play.

Cleary added the extras before kicking a two-pointer on the stroke of the interval to open up a eight-point lead. It was a significant moment, as was the try for Angus Crichton soon after the restart 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.

Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's half-break was supported by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

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

Final Score and Looking Ahead

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

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

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