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The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australian side as the visitors swept to a worryingly straightforward victory in the first match of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s side had talked at length about their drive 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 composure in front of a record attendance for an series match in the UK of more than 60,000.

Brilliant Display from Walsh

Guided by an exceptional display in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing victors in the first match of the three-match series, meaning England must win at Goodison Park next Saturday to sustain their aspirations of a series victory since the 1970s.

They will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in advantageous situations but they were failed to score for any points. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two superb turnovers.

Key Moments of the Match

The initial occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh denied Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Walsh himself completed a wonderful move.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before adding a penalty on the stroke of the interval to establish a eight-point lead. It was a significant point, as was the score for Crichton shortly after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the visitors. England 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 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was backed up by Crichton, who broke through Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Reece Walsh finished another breathtaking attack, exploiting a tired and clearly exhausted England defensive line for his second.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many did not see Clark's late try, which at least prevented England finishing scoreless. However, there are many issues for Wane to address going into what is now a do-or-die match next Saturday.

• England: Full team lineup.
• Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Try: Daryl Clark.
• Goal: Mikey Lewis.

• Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Bench: Reserves.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Cleary 5.