England batter Jacob Bethell keen to nail down batting position for New Zealand series

Jacob Bethell is determined to nail down his spot as England's number three in the batting line-up ahead of their return to Test cricket in June.

England's last red-ball assignment was their 4-1 series defeat to Australia, which finished in January, with the team coming under heavy pressure for their lacklustre performances Down Under.

Bethell scored his maiden Test century in the fifth and final match of that series, finishing on 154 in his final innings in an eye-catching performance despite the defeat.

He played in just the final two Tests, recording 205 runs overall, playing at No.3 in Sydney, and those performances have led to talk that he could move up the batting order.

Bethell has played as an opener in white-ball cricket, and he said he is open to the possibility of doing so in their three-match series against New Zealand, though he would prefer to nail down his current position.

"I'd love to stay at No. 3 if it was up to me," he told the Sky Cricket podcast. "I really like the position.

"I don't think there's a massive difference between No. 3 and the top. Someone like [Joe] Rooty had to start and open the batting and then slid back down to No. 4.

"If that's what they want me to do, I'd be more than happy to do it, but I like No. 3, and I'd love to cement that spot as mine if possible."

The first match in England's series against New Zealand will begin on June 4 at Lord's.