Reece Walsh Takes Center Stage as Ruthless The Kangaroos Sweep England Aside in Opening Ashes Test

The home side's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australia as the tourists secured a surprisingly comfortable win in the first match of the Ashes.

The England coach's team had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were definitely full of endeavour at Wembley. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who showed more calmness in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the UK of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Display from Walsh

Led by an outstanding display in attack and defence from club star Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable victors in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must triumph at Goodison Park next weekend to sustain their hopes of a series victory since 1970.

England will have to be significantly improved with the possession 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 points. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two superb turnovers.

Key Moments of the Match

The first occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh stopped Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Walsh himself finished a excellent play.

Cleary converted before adding a two-pointer on the brink of half-time to establish a two-score lead. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Angus Crichton soon after the resumption which made it 14-0 in favour of the visitors. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to stifle their momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were firmly put to bed with 15 minutes to go. Munster's half-break was backed up by Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Reece Walsh finished another scintillating attack, taking advantage of a tired and clearly exhausted English defense for his second try.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many missed Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least avoided England finishing scoreless. However, there are plenty of questions for the coach to answer going into what is now a must-win Test next Saturday.

• Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Tries: Daryl Clark.
• Conversion: Lewis.

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Bench: Reserves.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Cleary 5.