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The home side's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australia as the tourists swept to a worryingly straightforward victory in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's team had talked at length about their motivation going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on effort at the famous stadium. However, in the key instances, it was the world champions who showed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the UK of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Performance from Reece Walsh

Guided by an exceptional display in attack and defence from club star Reece Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable winners in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning England must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to keep alive their hopes of a first Ashes win since 1970.

They will have to be much better with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the first half, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any points. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two superb turnovers.

Key Moments of the Game

The initial came as Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh denied Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself finished a wonderful play.

Nathan Cleary converted before adding a penalty on the stroke of the interval to establish a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal point, as was the try for Crichton shortly after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the visitors. England now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was supported by Crichton, who broke through Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

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

Final Score and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many missed Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least prevented England being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are many issues for the coach to answer going into what is now a do-or-die match next Saturday.

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

• Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Cleary 5.