Michael Clarke was given a standing ovation and guard of honour as Australia reached 2-184 at tea on day one of the fifth Ashes Test.

Clarke was 14no at the end of Thursday’s second session at The Oval with hopes of a dream century in his swansong still alive.

The departing skipper’s side showed the sort of grit that was so sorely lacking at Edgbaston and Trent Bridge, but the game remains in the balance.

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David Warner and Chris Rogers were both removed in the post-lunch session, having shared a 110-run stand.

Warner fell for 85, prodding forward to offspinner Moeen Ali after an incredibly cautious 131-ball stay at the crease.

The opener’s dismissal brought Clarke to the crease, with over 20,000 fans at the south London ground rising as he entered the field.

England formed a guard of honour, while Alastair Cook shook the hand of his counterpart.

Clarke could have been dismissed for a golden duck, he stumbled out of his crease after flicking a ball in the direction of leg slip Ian Bell.

However, Bell mucked up his throw and Clarke scampered back to safety.

Steve Smith, who will replace Clarke as captain after the dead rubber, was unbeaten on 29 at tea.

Clarke indicated pre-match that his 115th and final Test would last only two or three days because the pitch was so green.

There might have been a touch of hyperbole from the outgoing captain, but incredibly dark skies at The Oval confirmed it was a bowl-first situation.

Cook did as much.

It was a ploy that achieved unbelievable success in the fourth Test, when England skittled Australia for 60 and snatched the urn.

This time, Stuart Broad wasn’t quite as dynamic, while the tourists belatedly discovered their dour side.

Broad snared 8-15 in his opening spell at Trent Bridge.

At The Oval, he was taken off after five overs.

Australia were 7-38 at drinks on day one in Nottingham and couldn’t make it to lunch.

In London, Warner was watchful early and refused to throw caution to the wind as he so often does.

The first boundary came in the 15th over – at the same point, Australia were nine down in the fourth Test.

Rogers was out edging to Mark Wood for 43, while Adam Lyth held a regulation catch at slip to dismiss Warner.

-AAP