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England's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australia as the tourists swept to a surprisingly comfortable victory in the opening Test of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s side had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were definitely full of effort at Wembley. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who showed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Brilliant Performance from Reece Walsh

Guided by an exceptional display in attack and defence from club star Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable victors in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday 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 unable to cross for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two wonderful turnovers.

Key Moments of the Game

The initial came as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh stopped Mikey Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself finished a excellent move.

Cleary added the extras before kicking a two-pointer on the brink of the interval to establish a eight-point advantage. It was a significant point, as was the try for Angus Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it 14-0 in favour of the visitors. The hosts now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their drive.

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

That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Reece Walsh completed another breathtaking attack, exploiting a weary and clearly exhausted English defense for his second.

Final Score and Looking Ahead

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many did not see Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least avoided the home side finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for Wane to address going into what is now a do-or-die Test next Saturday.

• Home Side: Full team lineup.
• Interchange: Bench players.
• Try: Clark.
• Goal: Mikey Lewis.

• Australia: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).