JIMMY Anderson insists his own game must improve in Indian conditions –- as he spearheads England’s seam attack in today’s one-day international curtain-raiser.

The Burnley paceman will start as Kevin Pietersen’s seam bowling resources are stretched to the limit in Rajkot, with Ryan Sidebottom sidelined with an Achilles injury, and Stuart Broad needing a late fitness test on his sore knee.

It is the second tour of India for Lancashire ace Anderson, who played in six one-day internationals in the spring of 2006, adding to his single Test appearance in Mumbai, where he grabbed decent match-figures of 6-79 in testing conditions.

But it is on the sub-continent’s placid wickets - which offer little assistance to swing bowlers - that Anderson believes he has greatest room for improvement.

“I’ve only played one Test before in India and it can be difficult if things are not going your way,” said the 26-year-old.

“I took six wickets on that occasion, but the conditions were not the best for me. I know I can get more out of the wickets.

“I feel as though I can take more wickets in conditions where the ball is not swinging.

“But I’m always looking to improve, year after year, and that’s in all areas of my game - bowling, batting and fielding.”

England will look to succeed where bitter rivals Australia failed by beating India in their own backyard during the two-Test series before Christmas.

Australia’s stranglehold at the top of the ICC Test Championship is slipping after crashing to a 2-0 Test defeat to their nearest challengers.

But while Anderson acknowledges that the top two sides of Test cricket are out on their own right now, he believes England, fifth in the rankings, can rise above third-placed South Africa over the coming months.

“It’s quite tight between three and six in the Test rankings,” said the Red Rose seamer. “Anybody can beat anybody.

“There are no easy series any more. It’s going to be very hard for us against India.

“They have a young side and are very tough to beat on their own wickets. But they beat us in England last summer and we are looking to get our own back.”

And Anderson is also confident that England have every chance of stealing the Ashes back when Australia come back to our shores next summer.

He added: “I think we would be a match for Australia if we played them now. It would definitely be competitive.

“Obviously, Australia are still the number one team, but we'll do everything to win the Ashes back.

“But there’s another 12 months of tough cricket ahead of us, with a lot of travelling, Test matches and one-day internationals.

“We are looking to win each series we play in, win each game, and put in good performances.

“That’s the main thing - because you’ve got to focus on the next match.

“But I think we have to realise that the Ashes are not that far away and we do have one eye on it.”