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

Shaun Wane’s team had spoken effusively about their drive going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were definitely full of effort at Wembley. However, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Performance from Walsh

Led by an outstanding display in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning England must win at Goodison Park next Saturday to sustain their aspirations of a series victory since the 1970s.

England will have to be much better with the ball if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the opening period, the home team found themselves in advantageous situations but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who executed two superb interceptions.

Key Moments of the Game

The initial came as Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself finished a excellent move.

Nathan Cleary converted before kicking a two-pointer on the stroke of the interval to establish a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the try for Crichton soon after the restart which made it 14-0 in favour of the visitors. England now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Munster's half-break was supported by Crichton, who broke through Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Walsh finished another scintillating move, taking advantage of a weary and visibly shot English defensive line for his second.

Final Score and Looking Ahead

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many missed Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least prevented England finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for Wane to address going into what is now a do-or-die Test next weekend.

• Home Side: Full team lineup.
• Substitutes: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Try: Clark.
• Conversion: Mikey Lewis.

• Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Bench: Reserves.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Goals: Cleary 5.