England had stewed on their heavy defeat in the 1958/59 series for more than two years before Australia, once again captained by Richie Benaud, returned to resume Ashes hostilities in the summer of 1961.
But, in a hard-fought series, it was Benaud again who came out on top as Australia retained the urn.
The first match, at Edgbaston, Birmingham ended in a draw. Batting first, England were dismissed for just 195, Ken Mackay with 4-57 and Benaud 3-15. The bat then dominated the rest of the match, beginning with the Australians who declared on 516/9, their fist innings, Neil Harvey with 114, Norman O’Neill 82, and Bobby Simpson 76.
England then showed what they could, scoring 401/4 before the draw was declared. Ted Dexter scored 180 and Raman Subba Row 112.
Subba Row top-scored in England’s first innings at Lord’s in the Second Test. But with Alan Davidson taking 5-42, Subba Row could not prevent England from being dismissed for 206. Thanks to Bill Lawry’s 130 and Mackay’s 54, Australia then took a handy lead of 134.
‘Garth’ McKenzie took 5-37 as England then tumbled to 202, meaning Australia needed 69 for victory. They made heavy weather of it, losing five wickets in the process, but they got there in the end.
England, though, got on level terms by winning the third Test, at Headingley, Leeds. This time Australia batted first, but, despite 73 from Lawry, they were dismissed for 237, Fred Trueman with 5-88. England then batted themselves into the lead by scoring 299, Colin Cowdrey with 93 and Geoff Pullar with 63.
Trueman than produced a fine spell of fast bowling, taking 6-30, to help bowl Australia out for 120. Left to score 68 for victory, England got home with eight wickets in hand.
In the context of the series, the fourth Test, at Old Trafford, Manchester proved decisive. Australia had initially seemed on the back foot after being bowled out for 190, despite 74 from Lawry, with Brian Statham claiming 5-53.
And when England made 367 in reply, featuring 95 from Peter May, 78 from Ken Barrington and 63 from Pullar, they seemed to have strengthened their grip on the match.
But Australia showed their character by making 432 in their second innings, inspired by Lawry’s 102, backed up by an unbeaten 77 from Davidson and 67 from O’Neill.
That meant England needed 255 to win. They fell short, despite Dexter’s 70. Benaud’s 6-70 helped ensure that his side would retain the Ashes, as they won the match by 54 runs.
England could still have drawn the series, but a draw in the fifth Test, at The Oval, meant that was denied them.
England won the toss and batted, making 256, May top-scoring with 71 and Barrington getting 53. But Australia responded strongly, compiling 494, Peter Burge and O’Neill both making centuries, and Brian Booth 71.
With no chance of securing a win, England chose to bat out the rest of the match, making 370/8, Subba Row with 137 and Barrington 83.