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The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australia as the tourists secured a surprisingly comfortable win in the first match of the Ashes.

The England coach's team had spoken effusively about their drive going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were definitely full of effort at the famous stadium. Yet, in the key instances, it was the world champions who displayed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an series match in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Performance from Reece Walsh

Led by an outstanding display in attack and defence from club star Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable winners in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to sustain their aspirations of a series victory since the 1970s.

England will have to be much better with the possession 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 Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Game

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

Nathan Cleary converted before kicking a penalty on the brink of the interval to establish a eight-point lead. It was a significant moment, as was the try for Angus Crichton shortly after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the Kangaroos. England now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Reece Walsh completed another breathtaking move, taking advantage of a weary and clearly exhausted English defense for his second try.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many did not see Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least avoided England finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for the coach to answer going into what is now a do-or-die Test next Saturday.

• England: Full team lineup.
• Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Try: Clark.
• Conversion: Mikey Lewis.

• Australia: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Reserves.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).