Reece Walsh Shines as Ruthless Australia Defeat The Hosts Away in Opening Ashes Test

England's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australia as the tourists swept to a worryingly straightforward win in the opening Test of the Ashes.

The England coach's side had talked at length about their drive going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on effort at Wembley. Yet, in the key instances, it was the world champions who displayed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an series match in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Performance from Walsh

Led by an outstanding display in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable victors in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning England must win at Goodison Park next weekend to keep alive their hopes of a series victory since 1970.

England 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 Reece Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful turnovers.

Key Moments of the Match

The first occurred as Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh stopped Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Walsh himself completed a excellent play.

Nathan Cleary converted before kicking a two-pointer on the stroke of the interval to open up a eight-point lead. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Angus Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it 14-0 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 victors, they were firmly put to bed with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was supported by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Reece Walsh completed another breathtaking attack, exploiting a tired and visibly shot England defense for his second try.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many missed Clark's consolation, which at least prevented England finishing scoreless. However, there are plenty of questions for the coach to address going into what is now a do-or-die Test next weekend.

• England: Full team lineup.
• Substitutes: Bench players.
• Tries: Clark.
• Conversion: Lewis.

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).