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The home side's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a clinical Australia as the tourists swept to a surprisingly comfortable win in the first match of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s team had talked at length about their drive going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at Wembley. However, in the key instances, it was the world champions who displayed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an series match in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Performance from Walsh

Guided by an exceptional display in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable victors in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must triumph at Goodison Park next Saturday to keep alive their aspirations of a series victory since 1970.

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

Key Moments of the Match

The initial came as Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then the fullback stopped Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Walsh himself finished a excellent play.

Cleary converted before adding a two-pointer on the stroke of the interval to open up a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal point, as was the try for Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the Kangaroos. The hosts now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their drive.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Reece Walsh finished another breathtaking attack, exploiting a tired and visibly shot English defense for his second.

Match Result and Outlook

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

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

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Kicks: Cleary 5.