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England's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australia as the visitors secured a worryingly straightforward victory in the first match of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s team had talked at length about their drive going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at the famous stadium. However, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who displayed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Performance from Reece Walsh

Guided by an exceptional showing in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing victors in the first match of the three-match series, meaning England must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to sustain their aspirations of a series victory since the 1970s.

They will have to be much better with the ball if they are to accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in advantageous situations but they were failed to score for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful 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 the fullback denied Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself completed a wonderful play.

Cleary converted before kicking a two-pointer on the brink of the interval to open up a eight-point advantage. It was a significant point, as was the try for Angus Crichton soon after the restart which made it 14-0 in favour of the visitors. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their drive.

Should there have been uncertainty 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 pushed past Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.

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

Final Score and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many did not see Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented the home side finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for the coach to address going into what is now a do-or-die Test next weekend.

• Home Side: Full team lineup.
• Interchange: Bench players.
• Tries: Clark.
• Goal: Mikey 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.
• Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).