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England's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australian side as the tourists secured a worryingly straightforward victory in the first match of the Ashes.

The England coach's team had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were definitely full of endeavour at the famous stadium. However, in the crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the UK of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Display from Reece Walsh

Guided by an outstanding display in attack and defence from club star Reece Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing victors in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must triumph at Goodison Park next weekend to sustain their aspirations of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

They will have to be much better with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any points. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who executed two wonderful turnovers.

Key Moments of the Game

The first occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself finished a wonderful move.

Cleary added the extras before kicking a two-pointer on the brink of the interval to open up a two-score advantage. It was a significant moment, as was the try for Angus Crichton soon after the restart which made it 14-0 in favor of the Kangaroos. The hosts now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their drive.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's half-break was supported by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Walsh completed another scintillating attack, taking advantage of a tired and clearly exhausted English defensive line for his second.

Final Score 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 plenty of questions for Wane to address going into what is now a do-or-die Test next weekend.

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

• Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Bench: Reserves.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Kicks: Cleary 5.