JAMES Anderson is hoping to find some consistency while playing for Lancashire as he bids to retain his England Test spot.

Anderson returns to county action on Wednesday when the Red Rose face Somerset in the County Championship at Old Trafford.

The 26 year-old, who didn't play against Surrey last week at the recommendation of the ECB, had a mixed winter tour of New Zealand.

After being left out of the first Test at Hamilton, he took match figures of 7-130 to help win the Wellington Test, but then returned forgettable figures of 1-130 at Napier.

"It was very frustrating, and I can't really put my finger on why it happened," he said.

"The pitch was flatter in Napier, but in both innings I started off reasonably well and it was coming out quite nicely. Then I had one bad over, and I tried to chase it from there.

"If I bowl well at the start of the season for Lancashire, hopefully I will get a chance in the first Test."

Lancashire, who drew their opening Championship game at Surrey yesterday, saw today's Friends Provident Trophy game against Derbyshire washed out.