🔗 Share this article Walsh Takes Center Stage as Ruthless Australia Defeat The Hosts Aside in First Ashes Test England's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australia as the visitors swept to a worryingly straightforward win in the opening Test of the Ashes. Shaun Wane’s side had talked at length about their drive going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on effort at the famous stadium. However, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more composure in front of a record attendance for an series match in the UK of more than 60,000. Brilliant Performance from Reece Walsh Guided by an exceptional showing in offense and defense from club star Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable victors in the first match of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday 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 failed to score for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two superb turnovers. Key Moments of the Game The first came as Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Walsh himself finished a wonderful play. Cleary converted before adding a penalty on the stroke of half-time to open up a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal point, as was the try for Angus Crichton shortly after the restart which made it 14-0 in favor of the visitors. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their momentum. 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 closing stages as Walsh completed another scintillating attack, taking advantage of a tired and clearly exhausted English defensive line for his second try. Match Result and Outlook By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many did not see Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least prevented England finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for Wane to address going into what is now a must-win match next weekend. Home Side: Full team lineup. Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken. Tries: Daryl Clark. Goal: Mikey Lewis. Visitors: Starting lineup. Interchange: Reserves. Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two). Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).