ENGLAND players formed a guard of honour for Michael Clarke in his final Test, after David Warner had earlier responded to the rally call of his captain to inspire a belated display of character from the Australians 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. 
At tea on day one, a solid platform had been set as Australia bucked the trend of earlier ill-discipline this series.
Vice-captain in-waiting Warner made a brilliant 85 off 131 balls - his highest ever first-innings score on English soil - and was charging towards a deserved hundred until he edged to slip off part-time spinner Moeen Ali, slashing his bat in anger as he walked off.
The dismissal brought Clarke to the crease, for what could be his final ever innings, to a standing ovation from the crowd.
England skipper Alastair Cook had his players form a tunnel for Clarke to walk through on his way to the wicket, mimicking the memorable way South Africa farewelled Ricky Ponting at the WACA in 2012.
Clarke shook hands with his opposing skipper then with the man who will take over his mantle, Steve Smith, before getting down to business.
The departing leader predicted a two-day Test could unfold at The Oval based on the amount of grass on the pitch but implored his down-and-out batting allies to produce the backs-to-the-wall grit and determination that's been 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 and then 2-184 at tea was a morale victory in itself for a team that appeared completely devoid of confidence.
Warner went to lunch unbeaten on 53 - his maiden first-innings half century in England - and Rogers stood stoically alongside him in his final Test, as Stuart Broad and company were finally made to feel frustrated.
Rogers faced 100 balls for a gutsy 43, an innings where he passed 2000 career runs and moved into the lead for highest run-scorer of the Ashes series - a fitting way to depart the game aged 37.
Clarke's heart would have sunk when counterpart 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 from the outset by doing absolutely 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.
Australia started with a maiden and continued from there to be in the unfamiliar but satisfying position of being no wicket for 19 after 14 overs.
It took Australia 108 balls for Warner to hit the first boundary, and no one was complaining. This was proper Test cricket and for the first time this series, Australia were respecting the conditions and their opposition.
FIFTH TEST ENGLAND V AUSTRALIA DAY ONE AT THE OVAL (AT TEA) AUSTRALIA First Innings C ROGERS c Cook b Wood...........43 D WARNER c Lyth b Ali...............85 S SMITH not out..........................29 M CLARKE not out.......................14 Sundries (b 1, lb 11, nb 1)..........13 TOTAL....................................2-184 Fall: 110 (Rogers), 161 (Warner).
Bowling: S Broad 13-3-32-0; M Wood 12-2-34-1; B Stokes 9-3-38- 0; S Finn 13-2-43-0 (nb 1); M Ali 6-1-25-1.
England won the toss andelected to field.