Jacob Bethell admitted he still has "a lot more to do" if he wants to nail down the number three spot for England.

Bethell was drafted in to replace Ollie Pope for the fourth Ashes Test against Australia, having missed out on a place in the first three, and impressed with his performance.

At number four, he struck 40 in the second innings, the third-highest total by a player across the Test match, as England successfully claimed their first such win in Australia since 2011.

As the tourists' top scorer in Melbourne, Bethell is likely to be given another chance in the final Test, and he is keen to keep proving himself.

"I like three," he told English media in Melbourne.

"You come in when the ball is new, and in some scenarios, the ball's going all over the shop.

"But in other scenarios, it presents opportunities to score when bowlers are trying to take wickets, and the field is attacking; there are loads of gaps.

Jacob Bethell top-scores with 40 as we complete our first Test win in Australia since 2011.

The series may have gone, but that's a result to be proud of pic.twitter.com/lkuzSY4Iar

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 27, 2025

"I've still got a lot more to do to call it my position.

"I would like to [make the spot his own]. I would like to just nail down any role in the team."

Bethell's place in the Test line-up has been hampered by injury following his debut against New Zealand in 2024, plundering half-centuries in each of his three outings during the series.

Pope's rise to form at number three also saw him miss the chance to reclaim the spot, but the position is up in the air after performances during the Ashes.

Captain Ben Stokes was impressed with what he saw from Bethell and is looking forward to seeing how the 22-year-old will grow.

"He got an unplayable delivery in the first innings," Stokes said of Bethell nicking Michael Neser to wicketkeeper Alex Carey.

"So then to go out there and play the way that he did there, I think shows a lot about his character and the confidence that he has within himself.

"So yes, something for Beth to be able to build on, definitely."