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

The England coach's team had spoken effusively about their motivation 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 historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Display from Reece Walsh

Guided by an exceptional showing in attack and defence from club star Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable victors in the first match of the three-match series, meaning England must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday 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 achieve that. On several instances in the first half, the hosts found themselves in advantageous situations but they were failed to score for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two superb interceptions.

Key Moments of the Match

The initial came as Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then the fullback stopped Mikey Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself finished a excellent move.

Cleary converted before kicking a two-pointer on the stroke of half-time to open up a two-score advantage. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Angus Crichton soon after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the visitors. The hosts now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were firmly put to bed with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was supported by Angus Crichton, who broke through Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Walsh completed another scintillating move, taking advantage of a weary and visibly shot England defense for his second.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many did not see Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented the home side being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for Wane to answer going into what is now a do-or-die Test next weekend.

• England: Full team lineup.
• Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Tries: Clark.
• Conversion: Lewis.

• Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).