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England's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australia as the tourists secured a surprisingly comfortable win in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's team had spoken effusively about their drive going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at Wembley. Yet, in the key instances, it was the world champions who displayed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the UK of more than 60,000.

Brilliant Performance from Walsh

Led by an outstanding display in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing winners in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning England must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to keep alive their hopes of a first Ashes win since 1970.

England will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two superb turnovers.

Crucial Plays of the Game

The first occurred as Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh denied Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Walsh himself completed a excellent play.

Nathan Cleary converted before kicking a penalty on the brink of half-time to establish a eight-point lead. It was a significant moment, as was the try for Angus Crichton shortly after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the Kangaroos. England now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their drive.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were firmly put to bed with 15 minutes to go. Munster's line break was supported by Crichton, who broke through Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Reece Walsh completed another scintillating attack, taking advantage of a weary and visibly shot England defense for his second try.

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 avoided the home side being held to nil. However, there are plenty of questions for Wane to answer going into what is now a do-or-die match next Saturday.

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

• Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Bench: Reserves.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Cleary 5.