I hope Steve Smith is reading this. He should be getting plenty of ideas for Australia's next clearout. Every passing delivery make the batsmen more assured, makes batting easier in tiny, tiny increments. Is it turning as much as we though it might? Perhaps not. The uneven bounce has abated since the new ball lost some of its hardness.

Dan Hutton: I watched Crocodile Dundee a few weeks ago, qualify for middle lower order dasher?

Paul Jackson: Had a BBQ last night and have just got the call to open for Australia in the next Test!

Strike-rates are down in the 20s, but neither of these men will worry about that. Don't just dig in, pitch a tent and stay here for two days. Ravi Jadeja is bowling darts, firing in his left-armers. Both Cook and Hameed are expertly judging what to play and what to leave. It's fascinating. 

Image source, Reuters

Only four teams have made more than 400 in the fourth innings to win a Test:

• 418-7: West Indies v Australia, Antigua, 2003
• 406-4: South Africa v Australia, Perth, 2008
• 406-4: India v West Indies, Trinidad, 1976
• 404-3: Australia v England, Headingley, 1948

Click here for the full list, external

Image source, Getty Images

Tim Dart: I lived with an Australian at University in Cheltenham - do you think I could get a game? I'm an opening bat who bowls off spin.

Andy Elliott: I quite like Fosters lager and I fancy kylie minogue - AND I can do the accent so am I in with a shout?

Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

This could be the best fielding side we've ever seen from India. They make very few mistakes and concede no easy runs anywhere. Kohli is constantly waving his hands, talking to people. He's easily the best fielder out of the bunch too.

England are on tour right up until Christmas. When will they get their shopping done? Hameed has to face Ashwin for the first time in a while, taking guard right across his stumps. A straight-onner beats the outside edge, with an edge then giving England a couple. Drinks.

Phil Dodsworth: Rumour is the first contestant voted out of camp on I'm a Celebrity will be made available for the next Aussie test squad

This is a forward defensive masterclass at the moment. We're seeing the full range from Cook and Hameed. Sometimes bat and pad together, sometimes the bat out in front. Sometimes they are in place early, others there's a late lunge. Hello, here's a run. Hameed drives Jadeja for a single. I'm not sure I like that, a touch too expansive given the situation. Dig in.

Richard Ellis, Norwich

To be fair, if you wanted two men to play the forward defence on repeat for hours on end, Cook and Hameed would be two likely candidates. Ashwin to Cook, defend on the front foot, do it five more times. Even the Cookie Monster, sitting in the crowd, is motionless. I'm struggling to think of another sport that can be some gripping when nothing is happening. I say nothing is happening, but we actually know that plenty is.

Afraid not, Andy. We're set for a second successive cloudless Test. Brilliant blue in Vizag, the sun taunting England with its mere presence. Runs are an endangered species as the strangely shadesless Ravi Jadeja comes round the wickets to Hameed. We've had four maidens on the bounce.

Andy White: Is any rain forecast? A monsoon wouldn't be a bad thing?

Image source, BBC Weather

Still Ashwin, more limbs than an octopus, round the wicket to Cook, who is stuck facing the offie's slight of hand. Prod forward in defence, rock back to cut, can't get it through the field. England in a vice-grip, but surviving.

Image source, Reuters

Bruce

To be honest, Paul, you sound a bit over-qualified. If anyone else thinks they could get a game for the Aussies, let me know. Have you ever watched Neighbours? Did you once buy a Kylie Minogue album? Did you once try a kangaroo steak and quite like it? You must own a bat and be able to learn the words to Waltzing Matilda.

Paul Reeves: Do you reckon I stand a chance of a game for Australia this week? I get my citizenship on Wednesday and I'm already in Adelaide.

My word, this is a rozzer from Ashwin. Angled in from round the wicket, just enough to turn to beat the groping Cook, missing both edge of bat and off stump by a coat of varnish. This is the batting equivalent of walking the plank.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

Hameed looks to have something special about him. He's very pleasing to watch. He's playing the short ball very well and is getting his feet in the correct position extremely quickly, which is great to see so early in his career.