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England's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a clinical Australian side as the tourists secured a surprisingly comfortable win in the opening Test of the Ashes.

The England coach's side had talked at length about their drive going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at the famous stadium. Yet, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more calmness in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Display from Reece Walsh

Led by an exceptional display in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing victors in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to keep alive their aspirations of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

England will have to be much better with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the first half, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were unable to cross for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two superb interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Match

The first occurred as Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh stopped Mikey Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Walsh himself completed a excellent move.

Cleary added the extras before kicking a two-pointer on the stroke of the interval to establish a two-score advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the try for Angus Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it 14-0 in favor of the Kangaroos. England now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their momentum.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was supported 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, taking advantage of a tired and visibly shot England defensive line for his second try.

Match Result and Looking Ahead

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many did not see Clark's consolation, which at least avoided England being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for the coach to address going into what is now a must-win Test next Saturday.

• 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.

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Bench: Reserves.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).