After the controversy in 1958/1959, Australia had eliminated the 'chuckers' by the start of the series, in June of 1961. Edgbaston were the hosts for the first Test and the main bowler was surprisingly Ken Mackay, an all-rounder playing for Australia. Taking three wickets in four balls, England struggled and made 195. In reply, Australia took a commanding lead scoring 516 for 9 declared, Bill Lawry in his first Test innings making 57 and Harvey scored the only century with a knock of 114. With a commanding lead, Australia looked odds on favourites to win the match but unfortunately for the tourists they hadn't counted on Dexter. The Englishman scored 180 on the last day and together with Subba Row (112) they batted on and the match was drawn.

Australia were once again dominant at Lord's after Cowdrey won the toss and decided to bat. England made 206 runs, Davidson taking 5 wickets for 42. On a lively wicket, Australia thanks to Lawry's 130 made 340 in their first innings. The tourists looked very comfortable and for the second match in a row looked the likely winners. Australia were only set 69 runs to win after Graham McKenzie on debut took 5 wickets, and England collapsed to 202 all out. Both Truman and Statham made life difficult for the visitors as they took 5 wickets before the winning runs were hit.

Normal service was resumed for Headingley as Benaud and May returned as Captains for the Third Test. England after 12 successful tosses finally lost the toss to Benaud and the winning captain decided to bat. After the first round of innings, England took a lead of 62 thanks to Cowdrey's 93. Other notable performances were Davidson's 5 and Truman's 5 wickets. Australia then collapsed dramatically and only scored 120 with Truman once again taking 5 wickets in an innings. The tourists were on 2 for 99 and their last 8 wickets fell for only 21 runs, with Truman at one stage taking 5 wickets without conceding a run. England won the match by 8 wickets.

The 4th Test at Old Trafford was once again delayed by rain and no play was possible until 2.40 pm on the first day. Lawry batted defiantly for his 74, and unfortunately for him the rest of the team failed and they fell for 190 runs, Statham took 5 wickets for 53. England passed the Australian total with the loss of 5 wickets and looked on course to post a high score, but thanks to Simpson's 4 wickets costing only two runs they were kept down to a lead of 177. Lawry in his second innings scored another century in his new Test career and guided Australia past the English lead for the loss of only two wickets. On the final morning, McKenzie hit 20 runs off Allen in one over and Australia closed their innings on 432 all out, leaving England to score 256 runs to win, at over 67 an hour. Benaud played a captain's roll in the 4th innings of the match and despite Dexter's 76 in only 84 minutes the home side crumbled. Benaud bowling round the wicket took 5 wickets for 12 runs in 25 balls and the match had turned. Davidson bowled Statham with only 20 minutes to go in the match, Australia won the match by 54 runs and retained the Ashes.

Unfortunately for England, their chances of squaring the series were hit by a superb innings of 181 by Peter Burge and Norm O'Neill's 117 as Australia scored 494 runs to effectively shut the home side out. Rain then made play impossible on days three and four, the match ended in a draw and Australia were once again victorious.