[7][8] Johnson's performance was hailed by some in the British media as one of the greatest ever in cricket history and arguably the best of the modern era.

This rescheduling was to avoid clashes between Ashes series in Australia and the Cricket World Cup, both previously held very close together in their four-year cycles.

Former Ireland international bowler Boyd Rankin, New Zealand-born all-rounder Ben Stokes and Zimbabwe-born batsman Gary Ballance all received call-ups despite being uncapped for England in Tests, while opening batsman Michael Carberry, spin bowler Monty Panesar and seamer Chris Tremlett were also included.

Among those who missed out were opening batsman Nick Compton, spin bowler James Tredwell and seamers Graham Onions, who helped Durham win the championship, and Tim Bresnan, although Bresnan was suffering from a back injury and still travelled with the squad to Australia.

Matt Prior was the only specialist wicket-keeper in the side; Jonny Bairstow was designated to deputise for him.

[12] Also included was Mitchell Johnson, who, according to Australian captain Michael Clarke and coach Darren Lehmann, Johnson was recalled to the 12-member squad "partly on the faith that he can demonstrate greater control across the series;"[13] with Clarke backing Johnson's inclusion in the squad by remarking, "I said a couple of days ago if Mitch was selected in this squad, it wouldn't surprise me if in a couple of months' time you see Mitch being Man of the Series.

"[13][14][15] On 25 November 2013, Jonathan Trott pulled out of the remainder of the tour citing a stress-related illness.

[17] Two days later, it was announced that leg-spinner Scott Borthwick and off-spinner James Tredwell had been called up following Swann's retirement.

[18] † Late addition Australia played the same eleven in every test: Warner, Rogers, Watson, Clarke, Smith, Bailey, Haddin, Johnson, Siddle, Harris and Lyon.

Australia won the toss and elected to bat, however they were reduced to 6/132 just after lunch on the first day, with Stuart Broad claiming four early wickets.

In response, England lost Carberry and Trott before the end of the day, finishing on 2/24, with Johnson continuing to trouble and unbalance Trott with short-pitched bowling, and ended up dismissed on 9 when Johnson had him flicking one straight into the hands of Nathan Lyon.

However, Lyon dismissed Cook for 65 straight after the resumption, initiating another collapse, with Johnson taking three of the remaining four wickets, and saw the tourists bowled out for 179.

A substitute fielder Chris Sabburg, who entered the field for a brief moment, took a widely reported catch that dismissed Kevin Pietersen for 26.

"[22] Australia fielded an unchanged line-up from the first Test, while England brought in Stokes (on debut) and Panesar for Trott and Tremlett.

Carberry and Bell added 45 before Warner removed the former for 60 with a one-handed catch at square leg off the bowling of Watson.

The threat of rain on days four and five prompted Clarke to declare on the overnight score, setting a target of 531 for victory.

Broad fell in the first over of day five after a short rain delay, and Prior made 69 before being caught in the deep.

England removed Johnson early on the second morning without adding to his overnight score, and shortly afterwards Smith was dismissed for 111.

Cook reached 72 before miscuing a cut shot off Lyon, while Pietersen fell to an athletic catch by Johnson at mid-on.

Warner reached his century before holing out at long-on for 112, and at the end of play, Australia were 3/235, a lead of 369.

[24] Australia's team was unchanged once again, while the sudden retirement of Swann prompted England to select Panesar.

Johnson removed Stokes and Bairstow in quick succession at the end of the day to shift the advantage back to Australia, with the score 6/226 and Pietersen on 67.

Siddle removed Carberry lbw, Johnson ran out Root and Lyon dismissed Bell first ball to see the visitors stumble to 4/87.

Australia named the same team as the previous four Tests, while for England, Ballance, Borthwick and Rankin made their debuts in place of Root, Bresnan and Panesar.

Australia won by 281 runs and secured a series clean sweep, winning the Ashes 5–0.