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England's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australia as the tourists swept to a worryingly straightforward victory in the first match of the Ashes.

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

Outstanding Display from Walsh

Guided by an outstanding display in attack and defence from club star Reece Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable victors in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning England must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to keep alive their hopes of a series victory since 1970.

They will have to be significantly improved 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 tries. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two superb interceptions.

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 Mikey Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Walsh himself finished a excellent play.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before kicking a penalty on the stroke of half-time to establish a two-score lead. It was a significant point, as was the score for Angus Crichton shortly after the restart which made it 14-0 in favour of the Kangaroos. England now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their momentum.

If there were any doubt about the victors, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's line break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Reece Walsh finished another breathtaking move, taking advantage of a weary and visibly shot English defensive line for his second.

Match Result and Looking Ahead

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many did not see Clark's consolation, which at least prevented the home side being held to nil. However, there are plenty of questions for Wane to address going into what is now a must-win Test next weekend.

• Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Substitutes: Bench players.
• Try: Clark.
• Conversion: Mikey Lewis.

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Reserves.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).