CHRISTCHURCH, March 8: Michael Vaughan secured his place in the England Test team Friday with a majestic 156 as the tourists hit 400 for eight on the second day against Canterbury.

Vaughan, playing his first game since dislocating his shoulder two weeks ago, figured in a second wicket partnership of 207 with captain Nasser Hussain (69), hitting 23 boundaries on a pitch not offering much to the weakened Canterbury attack.

Once the opener’s 198-ball innings was over at 278, however, the brittle England middle order splintered and it was not until Craig White and Ashley Giles came together that the innings was repaired.

Giles hit 26 and White 53 not out. Canterbury scored 212 for eight declared on the first day of the three-day game.

England began the day on 28 without loss and openers Mark Butcher and Vaughan reached 71 before Butcher fell for 39. Vaughan and Hussain scored freely before Vaughan went to a well-taken catch by Chris Harris running back at midwicket.

Hussain was run out one run later for 69, then Mark Ramprakash went for five and Andy Flintoff came and went for one.

James Foster, with three, was seventh out at 333 before a 50-run partnership between Giles and White righted the ship.

Giles’ wicket, Harris’ third catch, provided local medium fast bowler Warren Wisneski with his 200th first class wicket. He finished the day with three for 89.

Ramprakash and Foster may have played themselves out of contention for the team for the first Test in Christchurch and Vaughan and White played themselves in.

Foster had an ordinary day behind the stumps Thursday and Warren Hegg may get the nod for a Test comeback. Vaughan’s innings may have pushed Ramprakash down the middle-order queue.