Allan Border and David Gower were rewarded by their respective authorities for not joining the rebel tour to South Africa, and given the role of captains for the 61st meeting of the two countries. The South African 'Rebels' were now eligible to play for England again.

Australia batted first at Headingley and proceeded to loose their last 8 wickets for 131 runs after scoring 200 for the loss of two wickets, Andy Hilditch scoring 119. In response, Tim Robinson opening for England scored 175, and along with Botham, Downton and Gatting took a first innings lead scoring 533. The weather turned and the pace of the game changed. Emburey and Botham between them took 9 second innings wickets, only Philips offering resistance scoring 91, leaving England to score 123 in just over 3 hours. They managed to score the runs, eventually winning by 5 wickets.

McDermott shone at Lord's taking 6 for 70 after Border won the toss and put England in to bat. Replying to England's 290 all out, Allan Border fell four runs short of what would have been a terrific double century. Australia ended their innings at 451 all out, Ritchie (96) adding 216 with Border for the 5th wicket. Holland was the main wicket taker in the English second innings, taking 5 wickets for 68, England all out for 261 leaving Australia to score 127 runs to level the series. England defended the total well and Australia were in a little trouble at one stage, but managed to hold their innings together to win by 4 wickets.

David Gower continued a captains rich form and followed Border's 196 with a knock of 166, helping England to reach 456 before the last wicket fell. Two more big centuries were scored, but this time it was the Australian's who had the measure of a good batting pitch, Wood (172) and Ritchie (146) adding 161 for the 6th wicket. Australia (539) took a first innings lead but thanks mainly to a high scoring game and a few delays for rain, the only outcome possible was a entertaining draw.

The 4th match at Old Trafford was drawn once again due to the English weather. Gower winning the toss put Australia in to bat and it turned out to be a good decision as they were bowled out for 257. In reply Mike Gatting scored his maiden Test century (160) helping England to declare at 9 for 482. Craig McDermott took 8 wickets in the innings, no other bowler having any luck. Australia held out for a draw, Border scoring his second century of the series unbeaten on 146.

Edgbaston hosted the 5th Test of the series, and like Old Trafford there was more than enough rain about! Gower won the toss and put Australia in to bat, scoring 335 all out, and as most people thought was a good enough total to guarantee at least a draw given the weather conditions. The third morning saw the last two wickets falling in the first over, Ellison ending with figures of 6 for 77. Gower and Robinson took the England reply past the visitor's total with the loss of only one wicket, Gower scoring a superb 215 in the process. Gower then declared at 5 for 595, leaving Australia a mountain to climb to save the match. Jeff Thompson (shown in picture, left) celebrated by taking his 200th wicket in Test cricket - Gooch, caught Phillips. Australia in reply ended the 4th day staring defeat in the face at 5 for 35, after Ellison claimed his 10th wicket of the match. Play was then delayed on the 5th day by 3 hours thanks to rain, but it wasn't enough to help Australia. A little after tea, the match was surrounded in controversy as Phillips was given out caught by Gower off Edmonds. Phillips slashing hard at a loose ball caused Lamb (fielding at silly point) to jump trying to avoid being injured, the ball hitting the fielder on his foot and lobbed up to Gower to claim the catch. England went on to win the match by an innings and 118 runs with 14 hours to spare.

Gooch and Gower starred for England at the Oval, adding 351 for the 2nd wicket. Gooch like Border earlier in the series fell 4 runs short of his double century and Gower scored 157. Australia replying to England's 464 only managed 241, Gower enforced the follow. Ellison continued his rich vein of form and took 5 wickets for 46, Australia all out for 129, loosing the match by an innings and 94 runs. England regained the Ashes by 3 wins to Australia's 1.