He hooked up with Alec Stewart in an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 91 which consumed 38 overs and carried England to 239 for four - still 116 runs short of making India bat again.

Stewart was 40 not out at the close.

The hosts were forced to follow on when their first innings limped to 273 all out, and India - who had made a record 628 for eight - enforced the follow-on.

There was some good fortune along the way for Hussain, who twice miscued pulls into safe areas and then escaped on 47 when Anil Kumble brushed his glove with the last ball before tea only for wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel to drop the chance.

He survived to hit one six and 15 fours in 171 balls and give England renewed hope of preserving their 1-0 lead in a four-match series which will be concluded at The Oval next month.