James Anderson's extra county bowling has helped his rhythm

"The way AD put it was to get me to captain the bowlers. It gives me some extra responsibility but I really enjoy it," Anderson said.

"I've got a bit more experience than the other guys at one-day level, so I help them out if I can."

He has eight wickets in the series against India so far and has formed a strong pairing with Stuart Broad.

Interview: England bowler James Anderson

"I think it's a pretty good partnership. With his height and bounce and my swing it works well.

"One thing AD is trying to get us to do is be really aggressive and myself and Stuart have tried to do that up front, try to be aggressive and show a lot of intent and get the innings off to a good start which I think we've done in all three games."

Such is the inexperience of the current England one-day side, particularly when Andrew Flintoff is injured, that Anderson is now regarded as a key figure among the seam bowlers.

And coach Peter Moores's attitude to Test cricket has doubtless helped the Lancashire star's revival this summer.

Under Duncan Fletcher, Anderson would have remained with the squad carrying drinks if not selected for the starting line-up, but Moores has encouraged players to go back to county cricket if they do not make the final XI.

Anderson, who was included in the squad for all four Tests against the West Indies earlier in the season, only to return to Lancashire when not selected said: "I spent a bit of time with Lancashire at the start of the season which helped me get into a bit of rhythm and I bowled quite a few overs. I think it's a better way of doing it."

Despite Anderson's impressive form in the one-day series, India bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad has insisted, however, that he would not swap any of his seamers, Zaheer Khan, RP Singh, Ajit Agarkar and Munaf Patel.

"I am not saying Anderson or Broad are not bowling well - they are.

"But as far as I am concerned, there is plenty to learn from our bowlers - you are seeing them win games for India. They play under tremendous pressure, tremendous expectation and responsibility - so come on," he commented.