With the Ashes delicately posed at one match all, the teams headed to Trent Bridge, Nottingham for the third Test.
This time England won the toss and chose to bat, getting off to a good start through Graham Gooch, who made 70. The feature of the innings though, was a third-wicket stand of 187 between captain David Gower (166) and Mike Gatting (74). Together, they helped the home side post 456. Geoff Lawson took five wickets for Australia.
The Australians more than matched them in reply, Graeme Wood leading the way with 172. Greg Ritchie scored 146, as Australia compiled 539. None of the England bowlers would have been in a hurry to revisit their figures later.
With weather truncating the game, England were 196/2 in their second innings, with Tim Robinson unbeaten on 77, when the draw was declared.
The fourth Test was staged at Old Trafford, Manchester, where the outcome proved to be the same.
England again won the toss. Fielding first, they managed to restrict Australia to 257, despite 61 from David Boon, with both Ian Botham and spinner Phil Edmonds taking four wickets.
England then put themselves in a strong position. Graham Gooch gave them a platform with 74, before Mike Gatting capitalised on it with 160, Allan Lamb supporting him with 67. Their efforts enabled England to declare on 482/9. They looked to be in the driving seat at that point.
Australia, though, were able to save the match thanks largely to their captain Allan Border. He made an unbeaten 146 off 334 balls, sharing an unbeaten stand of 127 for the sixth wicket with wicketkeeper Wayne Phillips. Together, they helped blunt the England attack. With rain and bad light also playing their part, the captains shook hands with Australia on 340/5 in their second innings.
Australia, though, were in the better heart, having kept the scores level, despite being on the wrong end for things several times in the previous two matches.