🔗 Share this article Walsh Shines as Ruthless The Kangaroos Defeat England Aside in Opening Ashes Test The home side's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australian side as the visitors swept to a surprisingly comfortable victory in the opening Test of the Ashes. The England coach's team had talked at length about their drive going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on effort at Wembley. Yet, 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 over sixty thousand spectators. Brilliant Performance from Walsh Led by an outstanding display in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing winners in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must triumph at Goodison Park next weekend to keep alive their hopes of a series victory since the 1970s. They will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in advantageous situations but they were unable to cross for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two superb interceptions. Crucial Plays of the Game The first came as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback denied Mikey Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself finished a excellent play. Cleary converted before kicking a penalty on the stroke of the interval to open up a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Angus Crichton soon after the resumption which made it 14-0 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 a quarter-hour to go. Munster's line break was backed up by Crichton, who pushed past Jack 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 move, taking advantage of a weary and visibly shot English defensive line for his second. Final Score and Looking Ahead By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many missed Clark's late try, which at least prevented the home side finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for the coach to answer going into what is now a do-or-die match next weekend. Home Side: Full team lineup. Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken. Try: Daryl Clark. Conversion: Lewis. Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo. Bench: Reserves. Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2. Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).