🔗 Share this article Walsh Shines as Dominant Australia Defeat The Hosts Aside in Opening Ashes Test England's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australia as the visitors secured a surprisingly comfortable victory in the first match of the Ashes. The England coach's team had spoken effusively about their drive going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at the famous stadium. 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 UK of over sixty thousand spectators. Outstanding Performance from Reece Walsh Led by an outstanding showing in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning England must triumph at Goodison Park next weekend to keep alive their hopes of a first Ashes win since the 1970s. They will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the first half, the home team found themselves in advantageous situations but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two wonderful turnovers. 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 Walsh denied Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Walsh himself completed a excellent move. Cleary added the extras before kicking a two-pointer on the stroke of the interval to establish a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Angus Crichton shortly after the restart which made it 14-0 in favour of the visitors. England now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their drive. If there were any doubt about the victors, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's half-break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who broke through Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try. That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Walsh completed another breathtaking move, exploiting a weary and clearly exhausted England defense for his second. Match Result and Outlook By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many did not see Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented England being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are many issues for Wane to answer going into what is now a must-win Test next weekend. England: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles. Interchange: Bench players. Tries: Clark. Goal: Mikey Lewis. Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo. Bench: Reserves. Scores: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two). Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).