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England's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australia as the visitors secured a worryingly straightforward win in the first match of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s side had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were definitely full of endeavour at Wembley. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who showed more calmness in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Performance from Walsh

Guided by an outstanding display in offense and defense from club star Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing victors in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning England must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to sustain their aspirations of a first Ashes win since 1970.

England will have to be much better with the ball if they are to accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were unable to cross for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful turnovers.

Key Moments of the Match

The first occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh stopped Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Walsh himself finished a excellent play.

Cleary added the extras before kicking a penalty on the stroke of the interval to establish a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Angus Crichton soon after the resumption which made it 14-0 in favor of the Kangaroos. The hosts now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their momentum.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were firmly put to bed with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was backed up by Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Walsh completed another breathtaking attack, exploiting a weary and clearly exhausted England defense for his second try.

Final Score and Looking Ahead

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many missed Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented the home side being held to nil. However, there are plenty of questions for the coach to answer going into what is now a do-or-die match next weekend.

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

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