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The home side's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australia as the tourists secured a surprisingly comfortable win 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 definitely full of endeavour at Wembley. Yet, in the key instances, it was the world champions who displayed more composure in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the UK of more than 60,000.

Brilliant Display from Walsh

Guided by an outstanding display in attack and defence from club star Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable victors in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must win at Goodison Park next weekend to sustain their hopes of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

England will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the first half, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who executed two wonderful interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Game

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 gone ahead as Walsh himself finished a excellent play.

Nathan Cleary converted before kicking a two-pointer on the brink of half-time to open up a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the try for Angus 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 drive.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Munster's line break was supported by Angus Crichton, who broke through Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

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

Final Score and Looking Ahead

By then, local supporters 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 answer going into what is now a must-win Test next Saturday.

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

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Reserves.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Cleary 5.