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

The England coach's side had talked at length about their motivation going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were definitely full of effort at Wembley. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who showed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Display from Reece Walsh

Guided by an outstanding display in offense and defense from club star Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable victors in the first match of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must triumph at Goodison Park next weekend to keep alive their hopes of a series victory since the 1970s.

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

Key Moments of the Match

The first occurred as Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Walsh himself finished a wonderful move.

Nathan Cleary converted before kicking a penalty on the stroke of the interval to open up a eight-point advantage. It was a significant point, as was the score for Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the Kangaroos. 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 half-break was backed up by Crichton, who broke through Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Walsh finished another scintillating attack, taking advantage of a tired and clearly exhausted England defensive line for his second.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many did not see Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least avoided the home side being held to nil. However, there are many issues for the coach to answer 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.
• Substitutes: Bench players.
• Try: Daryl Clark.
• Goal: Mikey Lewis.

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Cleary 5.