Reece Walsh Shines as Ruthless The Kangaroos Sweep The Hosts Away in First Ashes Test

The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australia as the visitors secured a surprisingly comfortable victory in the opening Test of the Ashes.

The England coach's team had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were definitely full of effort at Wembley. However, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Display from Walsh

Led by an outstanding display in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable winners in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must win at Goodison Park next Saturday 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 several instances in the first half, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were unable to cross for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two superb turnovers.

Key Moments of the Match

The initial occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback denied Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself finished a wonderful play.

Nathan Cleary added the extras 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 Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the visitors. The hosts now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their drive.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s line 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 final minutes as Walsh finished another scintillating attack, taking advantage of a tired and clearly exhausted England defense for his second.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, home fans 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 address going into what is now a must-win match next weekend.

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

• Australia: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).