Sam Curran is looking to step up and fill the void left in England 's ODI team by Ben Stokes ' recent retirement from the format.
Stokes' shock retirement, which quickly followed former captain Eoin Morgan's, means there will be plenty of opportunities for players in England's middle order ahead of next year's Cricket World Cup defence in India.
And Curran, who has only ever batted as high as number seven in ODI cricket feels he is ready for more responsibility. "I've always looked up to Stokesy as a cricketer," he said.
"I almost want to try to copy him. He's obviously a huge loss and the boys are going to miss him but any time I'm playing I don't want to look too far ahead.
"I think it's natural [to want to fill the role] but if you look at the line-up now it is pretty strong. Like I said, if that is the case I'll try to do it. But I'm not one to put too much pressure on myself.
"I've always tried to follow the way he trains and the way he plays. Obviously, he's retired from one-day cricket now but he'll go down as one of the greats for England."
Curran was named player of the match in the rain affected second ODI against South Africa, having struck 35 off just 18 balls and picked up 1-5, and he is hoping to get more opportunities to show his quality with the bat going forward.
"For Surrey, I have batted up the order, which has made me think as a batsman," he added. "I like to try to read situations well.
"Guys like Moeen Ali and Stokesy who have batted in that middle-order for so long — I like chatting to them about options and when to take risks. They are the kind of areas I'm working on."
The 24-year-old has not long been back in action after a stress fracture of the back forced him to miss the T20 World Cup and the Ashes. Having now made his international return in white-ball cricket, Curran is desperate to be part of the Test side's 'Bazball' revolution and play all formats for as long as possible.
"There is so much cricket, he admitted. "My goal is to play all three formats for England. That's been my dream since I was a kid. There is no better feeling than winning games for your country.
"I loved the way the guys played against New Zealand. Loved watching that. And hopefully, touch wood, my body is holding up OK getting through these 50-over games.
"I was managed very carefully, which I'm pleased about, because it was my first big injury. But the next step will be four-day cricket and bowling 20 overs in a day."
