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More than a decade and a half from his first appearance, Adil Rashid might be excused for feeling exhausted by the international cricket treadmill. Now in New Zealand for his 35th T20 international competition, he describes that hectic, monotonous life as he mentions the team-bonding mini‑break in Queenstown with which England started their winter: “At times, these moments are scarce during endless tours,” he remarks. “Touch down, drill, perform, and journey.”

But his zeal is evident, not just when he discusses the immediate future of a side that seems to be flourishing guided by Harry Brook and his own place in it, but also when watching Rashid train, play or bowl. Although he managed to halt New Zealand’s progress as they tried to pursue England’s historic 236 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Monday night, as his four-wicket spell claimed almost all of their top five batsmen, no action can prevent the passage of time.

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Rashid will turn 38 in February, midway through the T20 World Cup. When the next ODI World Cup occurs near the end of 2027 he will be nearly 40. His longtime friend and present podcast colleague Moeen Ali, only a few months older than him, retired from international cricket last year. Yet Rashid stays crucial: those four wickets took him to 19 so far this year, six ahead of any other England player. Merely three English cricketers have achieved such T20 international wickets in a single year: Graeme Swann in 2010, Sam Curran in 2022, plus Rashid in 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2025. Yet there are no considerations of retirement; his focus remains on bringing down opponents, not curtains.

“Totally, I retain the appetite, the hunger to play for England and represent my country,” Rashid declares. “As an individual, I think that’s the biggest achievement in any sport. I continue to hold that zeal for England. I think that when the passion does die down, or whatever it is, that’s the moment you consider: ‘Alright, let’s seriously ponder it’. Currently, I haven’t contemplated anything different. I hold that drive, and much cricket remains.

“I want to be part of this team, this squad we’ve got now, during the upcoming adventure we face, which hopefully will be nice and I want to be part of it. Hopefully we can experience some wins and win World Cups, all the good stuff. And I’m looking forward to hopefully participating in that journey.

“We cannot predict future events. Nearby, circumstances can alter swiftly. Existence and cricket are highly uncertain. I prefer to remain in the moment – one match at a time, one stage at a time – and permit matters to evolve, watch where the game and life guide me.”

From several perspectives, this isn’t the moment to consider conclusions, but rather of beginnings: a novel squad with a different skipper, a different coach and fresh prospects. “We have begun that voyage,” Rashid notes. “Several new players are present. Certain individuals have left, others have arrived, and that’s merely part of the process. However, we hold expertise, we contain new blood, we include elite performers, we have Brendon McCullum, an excellent coach, and everybody’s buying in to what we’re trying to achieve. Indeed, setbacks will occur on the path, that’s part and parcel of the game, but we are undoubtedly concentrated and fully attentive, for whatever lies ahead.”

The desire to schedule that Queenstown trip, and the recruitment of the former All Blacks mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka, suggests there is a particular focus on creating something more from this group of players than just an XI. and Rashid thinks this is a unique talent of McCullum’s.

“We sense we are a cohesive group,” he expresses. “We experience a familial atmosphere, encouraging each other no matter success or failure, whether your day is positive or negative. We strive to confirm we follow our ethics in that manner. Let’s guarantee we stay together, that solidarity we possess, that fellowship.

“It’s a nice thing to have, everybody’s got each other’s backs and that’s the culture Baz and we seek to form, and we have created. And with luck, we will, no matter if our day is successful or not.

“Baz is quite calm, easygoing, but he is attentive regarding coaching, he’s on it in that sense. And he aims to generate that climate. Yes, we are relaxed, we are chilled, but we ensure that once we enter the field we are concentrated and we are competing fully. Significant acknowledgment is due to Baz for building that milieu, and hopefully we can carry that on for a lot longer.”