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After a decade and a half from his first appearance, Adil Rashid might be excused for feeling exhausted by the non-stop cricket circuit. Now in New Zealand for his 35th international T20 series or tournament, he describes that busy, routine existence when talking about the group-connecting brief holiday in Queenstown with which England started their winter: “At times, these moments are scarce during endless tours,” he says. “Touch down, drill, perform, and journey.”

However, his passion is obvious, not only when he talks about the near-term prospects of a squad that looks to be blooming guided by Harry Brook and his own place in it, but also when watching Rashid train, play or bowl. But while he was able to stop New Zealand in their tracks as they aimed to overhaul England’s monumental 236 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Monday night, as his four-wicket spell claimed almost all of their top five batsmen, there is nothing he can do to halt time.

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In February, Rashid hits the age of 38, halfway into the T20 World Cup. When the next ODI World Cup occurs near the end of 2027 he will be nearly 40. His great friend and now podcast co‑host Moeen Ali, only a few months older than him, ended his international cricket career last year. But Rashid remains integral: that four-wicket performance raised his annual count to 19, six more than any other Englishman. Just three England bowlers have claimed as many T20I wickets in one year: Graeme Swann in 2010, Sam Curran in 2022, and Rashid in 2021, 2022, 2024 and now 2025. Yet there are no considerations of retirement; his attention stays on defeating rivals, not closing his career.

“Absolutely, I maintain the desire, the eagerness to compete for England and stand for my country,” Rashid affirms. “From my view, that’s the greatest success in all sports. That fervor for England persists within me. In my opinion, if the enthusiasm diminishes, or something similar, then you reflect: ‘Okay, time to genuinely evaluate it’. Right now, I’ve not considered other options. I hold that drive, and much cricket remains.

“I aim to belong to this side, this roster we possess today, along the forthcoming path we tread, which should be pleasant and I wish to participate. 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 are unaware of what will occur. Around the corner things can change very quickly. It’s very unpredictable, life and cricket. I prefer to remain in the moment – one match at a time, one stage at a time – and let things unfold, see where cricket and life takes me.”

In many ways this is no time to be thinking of endings, but more of origins: a fresh team with a new captain, a new coach and new horizons. “We’re on that journey,” Rashid says. “Several new players are present. Certain individuals have left, others have arrived, and that’s simply part of the rotation. But we’ve got experience, we’ve got youth, we include elite performers, we employ Brendon McCullum, a superb mentor, and all are committed to our goals. Indeed, setbacks will occur on the path, that’s inherent to the sport, but we are undoubtedly concentrated and fully attentive, for all future challenges.”

The aim to plan that Queenstown excursion, 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 feel like a unit,” he expresses. “We experience a familial atmosphere, backing each other regardless of whether you perform or don’t perform, you have a good day or a bad day. We strive to confirm we follow our ethics in that manner. Let’s make sure we stick together, that unity we have, that brotherhood.

“It’s a nice thing to have, everybody’s got each other’s backs and that’s the atmosphere Baz and we aim to establish, and we have developed. And hopefully we can, regardless of whether we have a good day or a bad day.

“Baz is very composed, laid-back, but he’s on the ball in terms of coaching, he’s on it in that sense. And he wants to create that environment. Certainly, we are at ease, we are cool, 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 with hope, we can continue that for much more time.”