Hussain shared a crucial 145-run stand for the fourth wicket with John Crawley.

The captain walked to the crease with the score on nought for one, after Michael Vaughan was given out leg before to Zaheer Khan.

And when England's third wicket went down shortly after lunch, on 78, it looked doubtful whether his side would make best use of his decision to bat first.

Batting at first wicket down because Mark Butcher was shunted up one place to open in the absence of broken thumb victim Marcus Trescothick, Hussain took responsibility and was there at the close on 120 not out.

In all, Hussain hit 20 boundaries from 262 balls and was particularly harsh on Ajit Agarkar, who was surprisingly preferred to spinner Harbhajan Singh.

Opener Butcher fell for 29 to Anil Kumble, after putting on 71 with Hussain, when Wasim Jaffer took a good catch at short leg.

Graham Thorpe was next to depart after lunch when he was cleaned bowled by Khan for four.

Hussain then set up his partnership with Crawley - who fell for 64 to the occasional spin of Virender Sehwag, caught at slip poking at a wide ball.

Alec Stewart received a warm ovation from the Lord's crowd when he walked out to replace Crawley - the veteran wicketkeeper became the most-capped player in English Test history in his 119th appearance.

Stewart was unbeaten on 19 at stumps, just two days after becoming the 12th English player to be centrally contracted this season.