Australia’s new leadership team stood up in the Ashes finale, relishing the responsibility as Michael Clarke took potentially his final bow as a batsman.

Clarke’s men reached 3-287 at stumps on day one of the fifth Test after being sent in by Alastair Cook.

In England, a land where he has enjoyed minimal success and mostly bad memories, the outgoing captain was given a standing ovation by a respectful crowd as he came out to bat on Thursday, before walking through a guard of honour formed by the English players.

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But it was the next generation, captain-elect Steve Smith and vice-captain-in-waiting David Warner, who excelled at The Oval.

Pugnacious opener Warner scored 85, batting like a man with great responsibility. He demonstrated uncharacteristic restraint of his great power by not scoring a boundary until the 15th over.

“In the vice-captaincy role I won’t say I change my game but … you do feel a bit of added responsibility,” Warner said.

In what was possibly his last Test, Clarke received a guard of honour. Photo: Getty

Smith will resume on 78, his captain-elect’s knock in poor light earning the praise of Warner.

It wasn’t the 26-year-old’s flashiest innings, but he did well to steer the side to stumps after a late rain delay.

“He came up to me [when Smith was] on 20 and said he felt like he had no rhythm, but that’s what happens here,” Warner said.

“You don’t ever really feel in.

“We have worked our backsides off to try and counter that and today I think we improved.

“The way he addressed the conditions and adapted to it was fantastic.”

Smith and Warner both showed the sort of grit that was so sorely lacking at Trent Bridge, where Australia meekly ceded the urn after being skittled for 60.

“The series is done but for us it is about winning this Test,” Warner said.

“It’s about improving and I feel our top order has improved.”

Out with the old, in with the new. Smith scored 78, his captain 15. Photo: Getty

Clarke was out for 15 and unable to wind the clock back in his 115th and final Test.

There was at least one hallmark of his best, a lofted one-bounce four off the bowling of Moeen Ali.

His 42-minute knock ended with a ball on an awkward length from Ben Stokes.

Clarke reviewed his caught-behind dismissal.

The edge was so faint that HotSpot failed to pick it up but Snicko confirmed the retiring skipper was on his way.

Smith and Adam Voges then dug in to ensure there was no repeat of the side’s calamitous collapses in Cardiff, Birmingham and Nottingham.

“We bowled quite well. We stuck at it all day and the intensity was there,” England paceman Mark Wood said.

“They stuck at it really well and left a lot more balls than they did in the previous game.”

Voges was 47no when bad light ended play in the middle of Steve Finn’s 21st over.

Finn has two more deliveries to bowl on Friday morning then the second new ball is due.

Warner and Chris Rogers were both out edging in the second session, having shared a 110-run stand to put the game on Australia’s terms.