Joe Root wants to emulate star skippers Virat Kohli, Steve Smith and Kane Williamson

London: Joe Root, who was appointed as England’s Test team skipper after Alastair Cook stepped down from the role, made it clear that he will want to emulate Steve Smith, Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson – three of the best modern day batsmen and skippers as he takes on mantle of leading the England side in the longer format of the game.

Root’s first assignment as captain will come in July as England host South Africa in four-match Test series. The series will be followed by three Tests against the West Indies.

While Smith, captaining the Australian side, has been topping the ICC Test rankings for the batsmen, Team India skipper Kohli, despite a below par series against Australia, and Williamson, leading New Zealand, have not let captaincy affect their batting.

"I look at guys in a similar position to me and the number of games they've played; Williamson, Smith and Kohli," Root told BBC Five Live.

"They have taken on the captaincy and their games have gone up a level. I like to think that I am in that sort of place in my game,” added Root.

“I think the responsibility and this position gives me an opportunity to do that," Root concluded.