After more than a year in the international cricket wilderness, Lancashire's James Anderson is back, returning for what he called his "best match in Test cricket".

Anderson was a star in England's draw against India in Mumbai yesterday, when Andrew Flintoff's makeshift team of rookies beat a full strength India to earn a stunning 1-1 series draw against the odds.

Seamer Anderson was called up to the squad from England A's tour of the Caribbean when Simon Jones got injured. And it was another injury, to Stephen Harmison, that gave him another crack at Test cricket this week.

He took six wickets in the match and ran out the dangerous Mahendra Singh Dhoni in a triumphant comeback. Initially, he probably expected to again be net bowler, drinks carrier and dressing room tea boy.

So he will have enjoyed the celebrations at the team hotel last night, as his journey has been a difficult one since breaking into international cricket three years ago.

"The last couple of years have been tricky with not getting too much of a chance and not playing much cricket but last summer I had a full season of county cricket which was really good," Anderson told the Telegraph.

"I definitely felt that I needed a season like that. I was looking forward to the A tour as well to get some more cricket under my belt but obviously that didn't happen, though I was happy that I was still in the selectors' thoughts."

After his career began with great success in the VB Series in Australia and then the World Cup, just months after turning out for Burnley 2nd XI, his career declined as quick as it had risen.

He needed to be strong-minded to stay around the England scene but ultimately face constant rejection and twelfth man duties.

"My confidence did take a knock in the 18 months when I wasn't playing much cricket, because when you're not playing much cricket you're not sure how well you're playing," Anderson said.

"You can't judge yourself. But the season I had with Lancashire last year allowed me to monitor how my game was getting on.

"I'm really happy with where my game is at now. It's just great to be playing Tests again and I have the one-dayers to look forward to as well."

Anderson, 23, said he will approach this season in the same way as last, focusing on doing well for Lancashire and any England recognition will be a bonus.

He got married in February, to Daniella, and his wife joined him during the second Test in Mohali and will be with him until early April.

Although their official honeymoon was in New York last month, his second chance with England will no doubt feel like a second honeymoon And the fact he played at Mumbai under the captaincy of his Lancashire team-mate Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff, helped all the more.

"He's been really good and similar to Vaughany in that his main focus is on having fun and enjoying your cricket," Anderson said.

"That is especially important in India where you can have long, hot days in the field. He's gone down really well with the lads.

"There were three debutants in the first Test and he helped them relax and encouraged them to play their own game and express themselves. Leading up to the game he helped everyone relax.

"He's a different character to Vaughany but he doesn't want to change things as Vaughany is still captain. But being such a strong character he obviously has put his own mark on the job.

"Even when he's not captain people are going to look up to him and respect him as he's one of the best players in the world, so whether he's captain or not he's going to get respect."