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The home side's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australia as the tourists secured a worryingly straightforward victory in the opening Test of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s side had talked at length about their drive going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were definitely full of effort at the famous stadium. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who showed more composure in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Performance from Reece Walsh

Guided by an outstanding showing in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable victors in the first match 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 1970.

They will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the first half, the home team found themselves in advantageous situations but they were unable to cross for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful turnovers.

Crucial Plays of the Match

The first occurred as Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh denied Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Walsh himself completed a excellent move.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before kicking a penalty on the brink of half-time to establish a eight-point lead. It was a pivotal point, as was the try for Angus Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the visitors. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to stifle their momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's half-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 closing stages as Reece Walsh completed another scintillating move, exploiting a tired and visibly shot English defense for his second.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many missed Clark's late try, which at least prevented the home side being held to nil. However, there are many issues for Wane 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.
• Substitutes: Bench players.
• Tries: Clark.
• Goal: Mikey Lewis.

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