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The home side's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australia as the visitors secured a surprisingly comfortable victory in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's team had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at the famous stadium. However, in the crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more calmness in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Performance from Walsh

Guided by an exceptional display in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must win at Goodison Park next weekend to keep alive their aspirations of a first Ashes win since 1970.

England will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in advantageous situations but they were unable to cross for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two superb interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Game

The initial came as Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh stopped Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Walsh himself completed a wonderful play.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before adding a penalty on the stroke of half-time to open up a two-score advantage. It was a significant point, as was the score for Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it 14-0 in favor of the Kangaroos. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their drive.

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

That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Reece Walsh finished another scintillating attack, taking advantage of a tired and clearly exhausted England defensive line for his second.

Match Result and Looking Ahead

By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many missed Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented England being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for Wane to address going into what is now a must-win match next Saturday.

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

• Australia: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Cleary 5.