CRICKET: Anderson's eager to get back in the groove.

JAMES ANDERSON was today hoping for an explosive return to England colours on his home ground at Old Trafford.

The Lancashire fast bowler has endured a lean few months in international terms thanks to two untimely injuries and a lack of opportunity since his breakthrough in 2003.

But the 21-year-old aims to make up for lost time when he returns for today's day-night NatWest Series opener against New Zealand.

Anderson's short career has been punctuated by startling spells of wicket- taking on the big stage, and he is itching to play for England again.

"I just want to get out there, get back on the pitch and play a bit of cricket," said the youngster, who marked his Test match debut with a five- wicket haul at Lord's last season and went on to take a hat-trick against Pakistan at The Oval in the NatWest Challenge. Since the end of last summer, he has had to deal with a bit-part role in England's successful winter programme.

Then, after he had made a flying start to this season for Lancashire, a heel injury ruled him out of a Test match return against the Kiwis last month.