Jackson was captain (England) for the Australian tour of England in 1905, he won all five tosses in the series. Darling was once again the Australian captain.

There were a number of great performances in the first Test at Trent Bridge, Laver taking 7 for 64 and Bosanquet taking 8 for 107 (in what turned out to be the bowling performance that won the first game for England. MacLaren set a record for the number of test centuries by scoring 140 in England's second innings (his 5th). Trumper, on 4 himself was unable to bat due to back strain and England won by 213 runs.

Prolonged rain ruined the second Test at Lord's (as it had done in 1902), and both the second and third Test ended in stalemate. At Headingley in the third Test, both Jackson and Tyldesley scored centuries as England played the better cricket without getting the desired result. Arnold Warren of Derbyshire would never forget the match, not only was it to be his only Test match, but he also took Trumper's wicket twice.

Walter Brearley on debut for England took four wickets in both innings as England won by an innings and 80 runs. Jackson scored another Test century, and was his second in the series.

England retained the Ashes at the Oval after a draw. Centuries from Fry, Tyldesley and Duff, and fine bowling could not force a result. Unfortunately, the lack of form showed by Trumper, Hill and Noble coinciding with a return of the strongest batsmen in England made the series a little one sided.