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The home side's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on 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 motivation going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were definitely full of effort at the famous stadium. However, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who displayed more calmness in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Performance from Walsh

Led by an outstanding showing in offense and defense from club star Reece Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable victors in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must win at Goodison Park next Saturday to sustain their hopes of a series victory since 1970.

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

Crucial Plays of the Match

The first occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback stopped Mikey Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself finished a wonderful play.

Cleary added the extras before adding a penalty on the brink of half-time to open up a two-score lead. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Angus Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the visitors. England now had to score three times and that seemed to halt 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 backed up by Angus Crichton, who broke through Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Walsh finished another scintillating attack, taking advantage of a tired and visibly shot English defensive line for his second try.

Match Result and Looking Ahead

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many missed Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented the home side finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for the coach to address going into what is now a do-or-die match next weekend.

• Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Try: Daryl Clark.
• Goal: Lewis.

• Australia: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).