London, May 14: Warwickshire's Ian Bell has admitted it is time for him to score more centuries at Test match level for England.

Bell has passed 50 on 25 occasions in his 36 appearances but has gone on to reach 100 just seven times.

Speaking ahead of the first Test against New Zealand at Lord's on Thursday, he said: "I want to develop into a really good Test player.

"I've had a pretty good 12 months but I want to convert more 50s into really big 100s."

Bell has had to contend with being moved up and down the batting order since he became a regular in the England side, coming in at either number three or six.

He is happy to bat anywhere but it is the number three position that he covets most.

"Ideally, in the future, that's where I'd love to bat.

"It's where I bat for Warwickshire but if it's four, five or six, it doesn't matter. I'm just desperate to play."