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England's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australian side as the visitors secured a worryingly straightforward win in the opening Test of the Ashes.

The England coach's team had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at Wembley. However, in the key instances, it was the world champions who showed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the UK of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Display from Walsh

Led by an exceptional display in offense and defense from club star Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing winners in the first match of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must win at Goodison Park next Saturday to keep alive their aspirations of a first Ashes win since 1970.

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

Crucial Plays of the Match

The initial came as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh stopped Mikey Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Walsh himself finished a wonderful move.

Cleary added the extras before adding a penalty on the brink of the interval to establish a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the score for Angus Crichton shortly 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 halt their drive.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was backed up by Crichton, who broke through Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Walsh finished another breathtaking attack, exploiting a weary and visibly shot English defense for his second.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many missed Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented the home side being held to nil. However, there are many issues for the coach to answer going into what is now a must-win Test next Saturday.

• England: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Tries: Daryl Clark.
• Conversion: Mikey Lewis.

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