With the series level, the two teams headed to Edgbaston for the third Test match, where the Australians won the toss and batted. It was a decision they soon came to regret, despite Chris Rogers making 52, as they were bowled out for just 136, James Anderson taking 6-47.
England then batted themselves in a strong position by making 281. Joe Root top-scored with 63, while both Moeen Ali and Ian Bell scored half-centuries.
Batting for the second time, Australia did better, David Warner leading the way with 77, Steven Finn taking 6-79. But England needed only 121 to win, which they managed for the loss of two wickets.
Australia’s hopes of retaining the Ashes evaporated on the first morning of the fourth Test match, at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. England won the toss, bowled, and ripped through the opposition batting in less than 19 overs, with Stuart Broad taking 8-15 in front of his home crowd as Australia were all out for 60.
England then grabbed the match by the scruff of the neck, declaring on 391/9. Root made 130 and Jonny Bairstow 74.
Australia needed 331 just to make England bat again, but were all out for 253, despite Rogers, Warner and Adam Voges all scoring half centuries. Stokes starred with the ball this time, claiming 6-36.
At least Australia had the consolation of victory in the fifth Test match, at the Oval. Their win was predicated on their first innings, when after being put in, they made 481, Steven Smith scoring 143, Warner 85 and Voges 76.
They then dismissed England for 149, Mitchell Johnson and his namesake Marsh both taking three wickets.
England were asked to follow on. Despite 85 from Alastair Cook, the rest of the batting line-up largely disappointed, and they were dismissed for 286. Peter Siddle took 4-35 as Australia won by an innings and 46 runs.
The series and the Ashes, though, belonged to England by three matches to two.