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

Shaun Wane’s side had spoken effusively about their drive going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were definitely full of effort at the famous stadium. However, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an series match in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Display from Walsh

Led by an outstanding display in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners 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 first Ashes win since the 1970s.

England will have to be much better with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the first half, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful turnovers.

Crucial Plays of the Match

The first occurred as 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 Australians had taken the lead as Walsh himself finished a excellent move.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before adding a penalty on the brink of half-time to open up a two-score advantage. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Crichton soon after the restart which made it 14-0 in favour of the visitors. The hosts now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their drive.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's half-break was backed up by Crichton, who broke through 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 move, taking advantage of a weary and visibly shot English defensive line for his second try.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many missed Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least prevented the home side being held to nil. However, there are plenty of questions for Wane 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.
• Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Tries: Daryl Clark.
• Goal: Lewis.

• Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Bench: Reserves.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).