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The home side's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a clinical Australia as the tourists swept to a worryingly straightforward win in the opening Test of the Ashes.

The England coach's side had spoken effusively about their drive going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at the famous stadium. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who displayed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Display from Reece Walsh

Guided by an outstanding showing in attack and defence from club star Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners in the first match of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must win at Goodison Park next Saturday to keep alive their hopes of a series victory since the 1970s.

They will have to be much better with the possession if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the first half, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two superb interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Match

The first came as Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself finished a wonderful play.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before kicking a penalty on the stroke of half-time to establish a eight-point lead. It was a pivotal moment, as was the try for Crichton soon after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the Kangaroos. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to stifle their momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was backed up by Crichton, who broke through Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Reece Walsh finished another breathtaking move, exploiting a weary and clearly exhausted England defensive line for his second.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many missed Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least avoided the home side being held to nil. However, there are plenty of questions for the coach to answer going into what is now a do-or-die match next weekend.

• Home Side: Full team lineup.
• Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Tries: Daryl Clark.
• Goal: Lewis.

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).