Boycott and Brearley nearly won it themselves with an opening stand of 154.
Strauss had batted with supreme confidence for 60 of an opening stand of 98.
Bell dominated the opening stand with Steven Davies, hitting all four boundaries that helped them reach 50 from 38 balls.
An opening stand of 150 should have been cause for celebration; instead it suggested an opportunity lost.
Following an opening stand of 61 in under five overs, Andy McBrine had Soumya Sarkar stumped with one that turned.
But yesterday, Hussain was in charge from the start, dominating an opening stand of 176 in 27 overs.
Earlier, India had been inserted in humid conditions and made a comfortable 80-run, opening stand.
Their partnership, finally broken three overs before the close, was England's highest ever opening stand against New Zealand.
"He's capable of batting for long periods of time and we're very pleased of his big opening stand with Jimmy.
Chris Dent (47) combined with Tavare for a century opening stand before he fell to David Griffiths (2-28).
