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The home side's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australian side as the visitors swept to a surprisingly comfortable victory in the first match of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s side had talked at length about their drive going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were definitely full of effort at Wembley. Yet, in the key instances, it was the world champions who displayed more composure in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Brilliant Display from Walsh

Guided by an outstanding showing in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing winners in the first match of the three-match series, meaning England must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to sustain their aspirations of a series victory since 1970.

England will have to be much better with the ball if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the first half, the home team found themselves in advantageous situations but they were unable to cross for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two superb interceptions.

Key Moments of the Game

The first came as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh stopped Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself completed a excellent move.

Cleary added the extras before kicking a two-pointer on the brink of the interval to establish a eight-point lead. It was a pivotal moment, as was the score for Crichton shortly after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the Kangaroos. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their drive.

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

That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Walsh completed another breathtaking attack, exploiting a tired and clearly exhausted England defensive line for his second.

Match Result and Looking Ahead

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many missed Clark's late try, which at least avoided England finishing scoreless. However, there are plenty of questions for Wane to address going into what is now a must-win Test next Saturday.

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

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