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England's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australia as the visitors swept to a surprisingly comfortable victory in the opening Test of the Ashes.

The England coach's team had spoken effusively 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 crucial moments, it was the world champions who displayed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Display from Walsh

Guided by an outstanding display in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing winners in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning England must win at Goodison Park next weekend to keep alive their hopes of a series victory since the 1970s.

They will have to be much better with the ball 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 Reece Walsh, who pulled off two superb turnovers.

Crucial Plays of the Match

The first occurred as Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh denied Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself finished a wonderful play.

Nathan Cleary converted before kicking a penalty on the brink of the interval to establish a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Angus Crichton shortly after the resumption 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 victors, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Munster's line break was supported by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Walsh finished another breathtaking attack, exploiting a tired and clearly exhausted English defensive line for his second try.

Final Score and Looking Ahead

By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many did not see Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least avoided the home side finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for the coach to address going into what is now a must-win match next Saturday.

• England: Full team lineup.
• Interchange: Bench players.
• Tries: Daryl Clark.
• Conversion: Lewis.

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