Already two down in the series, Australia’s hopes of regaining the Ashes were already fading by the time that the two sides headed to the Melbourne Cricket Ground for a third Test that spanned the New Year.
However, Australia gave their fans hope with a much needed win, breathing life back into the series.
They batted first, and Graeme Wood led the way, making exactly 100 out of a total of 258, captain Graham Yallop making 41.
England then made a poor start. Although they partially recovered form 52/4 to reach 143 as Rodney Hogg took 5-30 for an understrength bowling attack, depleted as the big name stars were competing in the rival World Series Cricket.
Batting once more on a difficult pitch, Australia were then dismissed for 167, Kim Hughes top-scoring for them with 48.
But set 283, the task proved beyond England who were all out for 179 second time round, despite David Gower’s stubborn 49. Hogg completed another fine match for the seamer with 5-36, to finish the match with figures of 10-66.
Any hope of an Australia revival, however, were ended in the fourth Test in Sydney. It proved to be a match of fluctuating fortunes.
England won the toss and chose to bat first. The decision seemed to have backfired when they were bowed out for just 152, despite 59 from Ian Botham, right armed fast bowler Alan Hurst with 5-28.
Australia then seemed to have put themselves firmly in the driving seat when they made 294 in reply, Rick Darling with 91, a young Alan Border making an unbeaten 60 and Kim Hughes and Yallop with solid contributions.
However, then England batted for a second time and the tide began to turn. Derek Randall made 150 and his captain Mike Brearley 53 as England compiled 346, meaning that Australia needed 205.
In the event, though, they were bowled out for 111, Border’s 45 unbeaten notwithstanding, with the spin duo of John Emburey and Geoff Miller sharing seven wickets.