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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 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 world champions who displayed more composure in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the UK of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Performance from Walsh

Led by an outstanding showing in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable winners in the first match of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to sustain their hopes of a first Ashes win 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 hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were unable to cross for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who executed two superb interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Match

The first came as Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh stopped Mikey Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Walsh himself completed a excellent move.

Cleary added the extras before adding a penalty on the stroke of the interval to establish a two-score advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the try for Crichton soon after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the visitors. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to stifle their momentum.

If there were any doubt about the victors, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Munster's half-break was supported by Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Walsh finished another scintillating attack, exploiting a tired and visibly shot England defense for his second try.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many did not see Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented England being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are many issues for the coach to address going into what is now a do-or-die Test next weekend.

• England: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Substitutes: Bench players.
• Tries: Clark.
• Goal: Lewis.

• Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Kicks: Cleary 5.