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

The England coach's side had talked at length about their drive 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 showed more calmness in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Brilliant Performance from Walsh

Led by an exceptional display in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing victors in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must triumph at Goodison Park next weekend to sustain their aspirations of a series victory since the 1970s.

They will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in advantageous situations but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two superb interceptions.

Key Moments of the Match

The first came as Farnworth seemed certain 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 Kangaroos had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself completed a excellent play.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before kicking a two-pointer on the stroke of half-time to establish a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the try for Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the Kangaroos. England now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their drive.

If there were any doubt about the victors, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's half-break was backed up by Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Walsh completed another breathtaking move, taking advantage of a tired and visibly shot English defense for his second try.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many did not see Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least avoided the home side being held to nil. However, there are plenty of questions for Wane to address going into what is now a must-win Test next Saturday.

• Home Side: Full team lineup.
• Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Try: Clark.
• Goal: Lewis.

• Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Cleary 5.