🔗 Share this article

England's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australian side as the tourists swept to a surprisingly comfortable win in the first match of the Ashes.

The England coach's side had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at the famous stadium. However, in the crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Display from Reece Walsh

Led by an outstanding display in attack and defence from club star Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning England must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to sustain their aspirations of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

England will have to be much better with the ball if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions 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 Reece Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful interceptions.

Key Moments of the Match

The initial occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback denied Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself completed a excellent move.

Cleary converted before adding a penalty on the brink of the interval to open up a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the try for Crichton soon after the restart which made it 14-0 in favor of the visitors. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to stifle their momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were firmly put to bed with 15 minutes to go. Munster's line break was backed up by Crichton, who broke through Jack Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Reece Walsh finished another scintillating move, taking advantage of a tired 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 consolation, which at least prevented England finishing scoreless. However, there are plenty of questions for Wane to answer going into what is now a must-win Test next weekend.

• Home Side: Full team lineup.
• Substitutes: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Try: Clark.
• Goal: Lewis.

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