The fast bowler, 24, admitted: "I don't think I've bowled as well as I could have in the Tests I've played. I hope I get the chance to prove what I can do."

England have injury problems among their batsmen for the first Test at Lord's starting on May 17.

But Steve Harmison and Matthew Hoggard are both fit and playing well.

Assuming they are both picked, there may not be space in the starting line-up for a third specialist seamer, with Andrew Flintoff also in the side.

Anderson endured a long, tough winter, with five wickets in three Ashes Tests and eight wickets in nine matches at the World Cup, where he bowled more overs than any other England bowler.

On Wednesday, he was denied an opportunity today to begin only his second Championship match since 2005, by the rain which washed out the first day between Lancashire and Hampshire at the Rose Bowl.

It was at this same venue that the fast bowler managed his only four-day outing of last season, after a stress fracture of the back ruined his summer.

Feted in 2003 when he swung the ball consistently at pace, Anderson has had to contend with a succession of injuries since his early glory days.

He approaches what he hopes will be his 17th Test without a central contract - and with a modest bowling average of 38.39.

Anderson said: "My aim at the minute is to try to get a permanent slot in the team - but it's going to take a lot of hard work to do that," he said.

"Obviously I think I should be in the team. Hoggy and Steve have done really well - and that's who I think I'm competing against.

"But I can't see me getting into the team ahead of those two at the minute."

That leaves his county teammate Sajid Mahmood, Durham's Liam Plunkett and Leicestershire youngster Stuart Broad among those with whom he must vie for his Test place.

Anderson's lot was hardly helped when he broke the little finger on his bowling hand just before the World Cup.

He played through the injury and claims he is now fully fit.

"It's been a pretty long, tough winter - but from a personal point of view I was fairly pleased with the way I bowled," he said.

"It's gradually got better and better as the winter has gone on.

"I felt like I had a decent rhythm, maybe I could have got a few more wickets than I did."

Anderson may cut down on the amount of bowling he does in the nets for England to limit the prospect of any further injuries.