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England's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a clinical Australia as the tourists swept to a worryingly straightforward victory 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 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 series match in the UK of more than 60,000.

Brilliant Display from Reece Walsh

Guided by an outstanding display in offense and defense from club star Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing winners in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must triumph at Goodison Park next Saturday to sustain their aspirations of a first Ashes win since 1970.

England will have to be significantly improved 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 failed to score for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful turnovers.

Key Moments of the Match

The first came as Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then the fullback denied Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself finished a excellent move.

Cleary added the extras before kicking a two-pointer on the brink of half-time to open up a two-score advantage. It was a pivotal point, as was the try for Crichton soon after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the visitors. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their drive.

If there were any doubt about the victors, they were firmly put to bed with 15 minutes to go. Munster's half-break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who broke through Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Reece Walsh finished another scintillating move, taking advantage of a weary and clearly exhausted England defensive line for his second.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many did not see Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least prevented the home side being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are many issues for Wane to answer going into what is now a must-win Test next weekend.

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

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Cleary 5.