Australia were already one down in the series by the time that the third Test came around at Trent Bridge, Nottingham.
There were two significant changes for England. Geoff Boycott returned after his three-year self-imposed exile from the international side, while all-rounder Ian Botham was handed his debut.
And it was Botham who was soon to make an impact with the ball, taking 5-74 after Australia won the toss and chose to bat. For the visitors, Rick McCosker made 51 and Kerry O’Keeffe 48 out of a total of 243.
When it came to England’s turn to bat, Boycott did not endear himself to the Trent Bridge crowd when he ran out local man Derek Randall. But he redeemed himself by making 107, and with Alan Knott going on to score 135, England were able to establish a healthy first-innings lead with a total of 364.
McCosker responded with a century of his own in the second innings, and he helped Australia to 309, with Bob Willis taking 5-88.
But that meant England needed just 189 to win. They got there with seven wickets in hand, with captain Mike Brearley and Boycott sharing an opening stand of 154.
England ensured that the Ashes would be 'coming home' with victory in the Fourth Test at Headingley, Leeds an occasion marked by Boycott who got his 100th century in First-class cricket in front of his own Yorkshire fans.
He scored 191 and Knott 57, as England, after batting first, amassed 436. And then Botham and Mike Hendrick ripped through the Australian batting, bowling them out for just 103, Botham taking 5-21 and Hendrick 4-41.
Following on, Rod Marsh made 63, but he lacked support as Australia were dismissed for 248, Hendrick with four more wickets. England had won by an innings and 85 runs.
Weather affected the fifth Test at The Oval, although Australia could claim they had the better of the draw.
They had own the toss and chosen to field, making the most of favourable bowling conditions to bowl England out for just 214, Mick Malone with 5-63 and Jeff Thomson 4-67.
David Hookes then made 85, Max Walker an unbeaten 78, and Marsh 57, as Australia notched up 385 in reply.
England reached 57/2 second time around, but the match had run its course by that time.