🔗 Share this article

England's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australia as the tourists swept to a surprisingly comfortable win in the opening Test of the Ashes.

The England coach's team had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were definitely full of effort at Wembley. However, in the key instances, it was the world champions who showed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the UK of more than 60,000.

Brilliant Performance from Walsh

Led by an outstanding display in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable victors in the first match of the three-match series, meaning England must triumph at Goodison Park next Saturday to sustain their hopes of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

They will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who executed two superb turnovers.

Crucial Plays of the Match

The initial occurred as Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then the fullback stopped Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Walsh himself completed a excellent move.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before kicking a two-pointer on the brink of the interval to establish a eight-point advantage. It was a significant moment, as was the score for Crichton shortly after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the visitors. England now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their drive.

If there were any doubt about the victors, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's line break was supported by Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Walsh finished another scintillating move, exploiting a weary and visibly shot English defensive line for his second try.

Match Result and Looking Ahead

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many missed Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented the home side finishing scoreless. However, there are many issues for the coach to answer going into what is now a must-win match next Saturday.

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

• Australia: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Reserves.
• Scores: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Goals: Cleary 5.