"I'm probably lucky in the fact I could see myself playing as a batter only," Anderson said yesterday.
"I'm still young, have a lot of cricket to play and bowling-wise, it helps the balance of the team."
For the past couple of years, Anderson and Jimmy Neesham have vied for the allrounder role in the different forms.
When Neesham's back gave out in the first test against Australia at Brisbane in November, the tour selectors went for Mitchell Santner in the third test at Adelaide. He made a good fist of it, and has kept his place for the two Sri Lankan tests and all five ODIs.
Interesting selection issues lie ahead, and it's worth noting captain Brendon McCullum made a tip after Adelaide that left arm spinner Santner may have stolen a march on the two medium pacers in their absence for the allround role.
Anderson has played some terrific, thunderous innings, headlined by his staggering 131 not out off 47 balls against the West Indies at Queens-town on New Year's Day 2014, but not forgetting his 58 off 57 was crucial to the World Cup semifinal win over South Africa last summer.
The 25-year-old, who averages 35.1 and has taken 50 wickets at a handy 24.8 in 35 ODIs, had what he calls a hiccup in his recovery and now he knows he has to be careful.
"I'd love to say it will be [the end of his injuries] but I'm sure I'll get more niggles down the track. I've had enough now to deal with them.
"I've looked at it that if I come back too early it could potentially put me out or another few months. You always want to go and play and do what you can.
"So it's nice to be back in the setup and I'm raring to go."
