Joe Root believes England's Test team can reach "bigger and better" heights under his leadership after replacing Alastair Cook as captain.

England's premier batsman, sat third in the ICC Test rankings, Root was confirmed as Cook's successor on Monday, having served as his vice-captain for the past two years.

The 26-year-old has scored more runs than any player since his Test debut in 2012.

Root has five months to plot his first moves in the Test arena, with England not in red-ball action until South Africa's visit in July.

With Cook back in the ranks as an opening batsman, Root is looking forward to making an impression on the team.

"I think I will go about things my own way and see where it takes us," Root said, facing the media for the first time as captain at Headingley.

"It's a very exciting time where we've got some great players and I think they're in a very good position to go on to even bigger and better things. I'd like to think I'd be able to help do that.

"It's a huge privilege. It's been a very special couple of days, I'm very proud. 

"Every kid dreams of being England captain, it's not quite sunk in if I'm being totally honest. I'm really looking forward to just getting my teeth into it and putting my mark on things.

"I just see it as a great opportunity for us to look to improve. 

"We've got a very exciting squad of players that has got a great blend of experience and raw talent and a core group in the middle that have got some good experience now of 20, 30 games, which I think are in really good place to take on a bit more responsibility and make us a really good side."

Root's right-hand man will be Ben Stokes, the all-rounder appointed as vice-captain.

"Me and Ben have known each other for probably 11, 12 years now," Root said. 

"We've played all age-group cricket against each other and with each other. We complement each other very well when we bat together. That will echo in the way we go about things in the leadership role. 

"He is a natural leader the way he plays his cricket, he's very passionate, really does love the sport.

"That's a good quality to have that in a vice-captain to instil that into the rest of the guys and to go about the game the way he does."