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The home side's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australian side as the visitors swept to a worryingly straightforward victory in the first match of the Ashes.

The England coach's side had talked at length about their drive going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were definitely full of endeavour at Wembley. However, in the key instances, it was the world champions who showed more composure in front of a record attendance for an series match in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Brilliant Display from Walsh

Guided by an outstanding showing in offense and defense from club star Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable victors in the first match of the three-match series, meaning England must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to sustain their hopes of a first Ashes win since 1970.

They will have to be much better with the ball if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the opening period, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two superb turnovers.

Key Moments of the Match

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

Cleary converted before adding a penalty on the stroke of the interval to open up a two-score lead. It was a pivotal point, as was the try for Crichton soon after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the visitors. England now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's line break was supported by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Walsh finished 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 avoided the home side finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for the coach to address going into what is now a do-or-die match next weekend.

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

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).