DAVID Warner responded to the rally call of his captain to -inspire a belated display of character from the vanquished Australians in the dead-rubber fifth Test at The Oval.
The Ashes are lost, but openers Warner and Chris Rogers dug their heels in after being sent in under dark clouds and in green conditions on the opening morning to at least exorcise some of the demons from the 60 all out debacle at Trent Bridge two weeks ago.
Captain Michael Clarke was predicting a two-day Test at The Oval but implored his down-and-out batting allies to produce the backs-to-the-wall grit and determination that's been dismally missing all series. 
There's a long way to go in this Test, but making it to lunch on day one at 0-82 from 27 overs was a morale victory for a team that appeared completely devoid of confidence.
Warner was unbeaten on 53 - his maiden first-innings half century in England - and Rogers was standing stoically alongside him on 27 having passed 2000 Test runs. Stuart Broad and company were finally made to feel frustrated.
Clarke's heart might have sunk for a moment when counterpart Alastair Cook won the coin toss and gleefully sent the Australians in.
But finally, Australia took it as a challenge rather than an excuse to raise the white flag.
Warner and Rogers made their intentions clear right from the outset by doing nothing.
For the first time this series, the first instinct from Australian batsmen was to leave rather than swing.
It might not be the "Australian way" but it's the way to win in England, and the penny looked to have finally dropped - although sadly it was too -little, too late.
Australia started with a maiden and continued from there to be in the unfamiliar but satisfying position of 0-19 after 14 overs.
At the same juncture at Trent Bridge, the tourists were nine wickets down and the match was as good as over.
It took Australia 108 deliveries for Warner to hit the first boundary, and no one was -complaining.
Rogers faced 43 balls for his opening four and the Australian fans in the crowd applauded.
This was proper Test cricket and for the first time this series Australia were respecting the game, the conditions and their opposition.
Australia lasted just 18.3 overs at Trent Bridge, the shortest innings in the history of Test cricket.
It might have taken them three overs longer to pass 60 on day one at The Oval, but the fact they were none down when they did so was exactly what the doctor ordered.
The benefits were there for all to see.
Rogers' knock saw him take over as the leading run-scorer of the Ashes in his final Test.
The 37-year-old has been Australia's best in this series and dominating England will be the overriding legacy of his brilliant two-year cameo in Tests.
Rogers had two edges fall just short of slips fielders, once when the score was 0-9, but good fortune is always part of batting in England.
The Ashes are long gone, but Australia can salvage plenty from rising at The Oval.
FIFTH TEST ENGLAND V AUSTRALIA DAY ONE AT THE OVAL AUSTRALIA First Innings C ROGERS c Cook b Wood...........43 D WARNER not out......................65 S SMITH not out............................1 Sundries (lb 2, nb 1).....................3 TOTAL 1-112 Fall: 110 (Rogers).
Bowling: S Broad 9-3-17-0; M Wood 9-1-30-1; B Stokes 6-2-32- 0; S Finn 7-2-19-0 (nb 1); M Ali 3- 1-12-0.
England won toss and elected tofield.