Furthermore, in T20Is, he is the leading run-scorer in the same period, with 1,614 runs compared to Buttler's 1,453. By way of comparison, Moeen Ali in third has just 841. It is no understatement to say that over the last four years, Malan has been nothing short of a white-ball marvel.

In spite of that, however, Malan admitted that his overwhelming emotion after making England's provisional World Cup squad was "definitely relief".

"You look at the amount of depth we've got in English cricketto get the call was extremely satisfying," he said. "I know there are people who've missed out and I have so much sympathy for them.

"From a personal point of view, I was exceptionally pleased to get that call, because I felt I've worked really hard to get in that squad. Every opportunity I've been given in 50 overs in my last four or five series, I've gone and had to score the runs, doing it the tough way to get in there."

"That's what I'm picked for," Malan said. "To score runs and win games. I am not there to please anyone, I'm there to score runs for Jos [Buttler] and Motty [Matthew Mott] and contribute to wins.

"I feel like I have done that consistently over the last five or six years, whatever it is in white-ball cricket. You get criticised, and that is part and parcel of the game. You might not be the favourite of the crowds, and the fans, and the commentators and the press, and everyone else, but all I can do is score runs when you get given the opportunity. Touch wood, I do that more often than not, and hopefully I continue to do it to keep the faith that the leadership have shown in me."

"I think you always have to score runs when you play international cricket," Malan responded, as to whether he felt the need to be looking over his shoulder. "It's a provisional squad but, from my understanding, it's up to us to score runs to stay in it. I think it would be tough, two weeks before we are flying, especially with people potentially resting for the Ireland series, to suddenly lose their place. But that is cricket and that's the way life goes. Nothing is ever guaranteed until you stand on that planeI know people compare me to Brooky but I bat top three and he bats 4, 5, 6, so I don't know where that comparison's from."

"I don't know who will get the nod at the top of the order," Malan concluded. "Hopefully I can score as many runs as I can in the opportunities I get here, I'm not sure how many games I'll play, but when I do, hopefully I score runs and the runs put pressure on the selectors and the guys to pick an XI and keep me in it. I try not to look too far ahead, and score as many runs as I can in each opportunity."

And on that metric, at least, Malan continues to be perfect.