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

Shaun Wane’s side had talked at length 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 reigning title holders who displayed more composure in front of a record attendance for an series match in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Display from Walsh

Led by an outstanding showing in attack and defence from club star 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 weekend to sustain their hopes of a series victory since 1970.

England will have to be much better 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 failed to score for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two superb turnovers.

Key Moments of the Match

The first came as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh denied Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Walsh himself completed a excellent play.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before adding a two-pointer on the stroke of half-time to establish a two-score advantage. It was a significant point, as was the score for Angus Crichton soon after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the visitors. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to stifle their momentum.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was backed up by Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Walsh completed another breathtaking move, taking advantage of a weary and visibly shot English defense for his second try.

Final Score and Looking Ahead

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many did not see Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least prevented England finishing scoreless. However, there are plenty of questions for the coach to answer going into what is now a do-or-die match next Saturday.

• England: Full team lineup.
• Interchange: Bench players.
• Try: Daryl Clark.
• Goal: Mikey Lewis.

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