🔗 Share this article Walsh Shines as Dominant The Kangaroos Defeat The Hosts Away in First Ashes Test The home side's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a clinical Australian side as the visitors swept to a worryingly straightforward win 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 definitely full of endeavour at the famous stadium. However, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who displayed more composure in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators. Brilliant Display from Walsh Led by an outstanding showing in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing victors in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning England must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to sustain their aspirations of a series victory since the 1970s. They will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to achieve that. On several instances 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 wonderful turnovers. Key Moments of the Game The first came as Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself finished a wonderful move. Nathan Cleary added the extras before adding a penalty on the brink of half-time to establish a two-score lead. It was a significant point, as was the score for Crichton shortly after the restart which made it 14-0 in favour of the Kangaroos. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their momentum. If there were any doubt about the winners, they were firmly put to bed with 15 minutes to go. Munster's half-break was supported by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try. That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Walsh finished another breathtaking move, exploiting a weary and clearly exhausted English defensive line for his second try. Final Score and Looking Ahead By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many missed Clark's consolation, which at least prevented the home side finishing scoreless. However, there are many issues for the coach to answer going into what is now a do-or-die match next weekend. England: Full team lineup. Substitutes: Bench players. Tries: Clark. Conversion: Lewis. Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo. Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi. Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two). Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).