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England's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australian side as the tourists swept to a worryingly straightforward victory in the first match of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s side had talked at length about their motivation going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were definitely full of effort at the famous stadium. Yet, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more composure in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the UK of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Display from Reece Walsh

Guided by an outstanding showing in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing victors in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to sustain their aspirations of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

England 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 promising positions but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two superb interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Game

The initial occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh stopped Mikey Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself completed a wonderful play.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before kicking a two-pointer on the brink of half-time to establish a two-score lead. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Crichton soon after the restart which made it 14-0 in favor of the Kangaroos. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to stifle their momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was backed up by Angus 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 finished another breathtaking attack, exploiting a tired and visibly shot England defense for his second try.

Match Result and Looking Ahead

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many did not see Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented England being held to nil. However, there are plenty of questions for the coach to answer going into what is now a do-or-die Test next weekend.

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

• Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Interchange: Reserves.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Cleary 5.