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The home side's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australian side as the tourists secured a surprisingly comfortable victory in the opening Test of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s side had talked at length about their motivation going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at the famous stadium. Yet, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more composure in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Brilliant Performance from Reece Walsh

Led by an outstanding display in offense and defense from club star Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing winners in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning England must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to sustain their aspirations of a series victory since 1970.

They will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the home team found themselves in advantageous situations but they were unable to cross for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two superb turnovers.

Key Moments of the Game

The first occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh denied Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Walsh himself finished a excellent move.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before kicking a two-pointer on the stroke of half-time to open up a eight-point lead. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Crichton shortly after the resumption 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 momentum.

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

That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Walsh completed another breathtaking attack, taking advantage of a weary and visibly shot English defense for his second try.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many did not see Clark's late try, which at least prevented the home side finishing scoreless. However, there are plenty of questions for Wane to answer going into what is now a must-win match next Saturday.

• Home Side: Full team lineup.
• Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Tries: Daryl Clark.
• Goal: Lewis.

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Reserves.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Cleary 5.