Ray Illingworth replaced Colin Cowdrey as England captain for the 50th Series against Australia held in 1970 - 71. Bill Lawry continued as Australian captain after retaining the Ashes in 1968. England have changed their captain in every series since Ted Dexter in 1962. The biggest debutant of the series was Rodney Marsh who played his earned his first cap for Australia at Brisbane.

Australia batted first in Brisbane and Keith Stackpoles 207, helped the home side to 433 all out, Keith Walters assisting with 112. However the home side would not have been happy with the final total, for at one stage they were 3 for 418, but an unbelievable collapse thanks mainly to Snow's 6 for 114 helped the visitors stay in the match. In reply, England's batting was steady and secure with all the players contributing, finally ending their innings on 464. Shuttleworth then took 5 wickets as Australia were dismissed for 214 but unfortunately for England there was no time to get a result - Match drawn.

The second Test of the series saw the WACA's first in history. It proved once again to be a batsman's paradise as England scored 397, Luckhurst scoring 131. Australia then batted and took a first innings lead with a completed innings of 440, Redpath scoring 171 and Greg Chappell on debut scored 108. Australia were left to score 245 in 145 minutes after England had declared on 6 for 287. Bill Lawry refused the challenge and the game ended in another draw.

The Third Test due to be played at Melbourne was abandoned without a ball being bowled on the third day. On what would have been the 5th day's play, the organisers arranged a one day game, and with it grew the interest in the one day international as we know it today.

Bob Willis made his debut in Sydney for the 4th Test match. He wasn't part of the original touring party but was flown out to Australia when Alan Ward was injured. England had a lead of 96 after the first innings, England scoring 332 and Australia 236. In their second innings; Geoff Boycott made his highest Test score of 142 not out, and led England to 5 for 319 declared. Snow for the second time in the series bowled magnificently and took 7 wickets for 40 runs, Australia collapsing to 116 all out. England had won by 299 runs. Bill Lawry carried his bat with a knock of 60. The unfortunate McKenzie in his last Test match, was hit by a ball from Snow and had to retire hurt. England now lead the series by 1 game to 0.

A quickly re-arranged Test match at Melbourne proved to be a disappointment. Ian Chappell scored a century along with Rod Marsh's 92 ana Australia scored 493 for 9 declared. The crowd invaded the Melbourne ground when Chappell reached his landmark and when order was restored, one stump and two players caps were missing! Luckhurst made a century in reply with a broken finger, and with the visitors reaching 392 before being bowled out, it signalled to the crowd that the only possible result left was a draw.

The Sixth Test match was held in Adelaide and saw the first appearance of Dennis Lillee. It wasn't long before the English felt the full force of the new bowler, taking 5 wickets for 84 in their first innings. Fortunately for the visitors, Edrich scored 130 and helped them recover to 470 all out. Australia managing only 235 were as surprised as everyone else when Illingworth decided not to enforce the follow on. England then went in and a century from Boycott led them to 233 for 4 declared. By now the pitch was easing, Ian Chappell and and Stackpole easily saved the match for the home side.

With the final Test came the disappointing news that Bill Lawry had been dropped as captain in favour of the younger Ian Chappell. This signalled the end of Lawry's career in Test cricket. Chappell put England in to bat in a Test that Australia had to win to retain the Ashes. The visitors were dismissed only 184 and success seemed on the cards. Jenner was hit on the head during Australia's batting and was taken to hospital. Snow was then warned about bowling bouncers, the crowd showing their own disgust threw beer cans onto the pitch. When Snow finished his spell he went to field on the boundary and a drunken sspectator grabbed his shirt, more cans were thrown. Illingworth then led his team off the field in protest, but after the umpires threatened to award the match (and therefore the Ashes) to Australia they returned ! Australia led by 80 after the first innings. Australia were set 223 runs to win the match but never looked like getting them, England bowling well dismissed them for only 160 runs. England won the series by 2 rubbers to 0, and Illingworth became the first captain in 16 years to regain the Ashes for England.

Snow took 31 wickets at an average of 22.83

Boycott led the batting with 657 runs at an average of 93.85