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More than a decade and a half after his initial cap, Adil Rashid might be excused for tiring of the international cricket treadmill. Now in New Zealand for his 35th global T20 event, he summarises that frantic, repetitive schedule as he mentions the squad-uniting short trip in Queenstown that launched England’s winter tour: “Occasionally, such chances are rare when constantly traveling,” he remarks. “You land, you train, you play and you travel.”

But his zeal is evident, not just when he discusses the near-term prospects of a side that seems to be flourishing under Harry Brook and his personal role within it, and also when observing Rashid practice, compete, or deliver. Although he managed to halt New Zealand’s progress 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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Rashid will turn 38 in February, halfway into the T20 World Cup. By the time the next one‑day international version is played towards the end of 2027 he’ll be approaching 40. His close pal and current podcast partner Moeen Ali, only a few months older than him, stepped away from global cricket the previous year. Yet Rashid stays crucial: those four dismissals brought his yearly tally to 19, six ahead of any other England player. Only three English bowlers have taken so many T20 international wickets in a calendar year: Graeme Swann in 2010, Sam Curran in 2022, plus Rashid in 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2025. But there are still no thoughts of the end; 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 affirms. “As an individual, I think that’s the biggest achievement in any sport. I continue to hold that zeal for England. I feel that once the passion fades, or whatever occurs, then you reflect: ‘Okay, time to genuinely evaluate it’. At the moment I haven’t really thought of anything else. I hold that drive, and much cricket remains.

“I want to be part of this team, this squad we’ve got now, on the next journey we have, which hopefully will be nice and I want to be part of it. Ideally, we can taste success and claim World Cups, everything excellent. And I anticipate hopefully taking part in that voyage.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen. 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 allow events to develop, observe where cricket and existence lead me.”

From several perspectives, this isn’t the moment to consider conclusions, but instead of starts: a fresh team with a new captain, a new coach and new horizons. “We’re on that journey,” Rashid notes. “There are a few new faces. Some have gone out, some have come in, and that’s just part of the cycle. Yet we possess know-how, we have young talent, we feature top-tier cricketers, we’ve got Brendon McCullum, who’s a very, very good coach, and each person supports our objectives. Yes, there’s going to be hiccups along the way, that’s typical in cricket, but we are undoubtedly concentrated and fully attentive, for all future challenges.”

The wish to arrange that Queenstown visit, and the hiring of ex-All Blacks mental coach Gilbert Enoka, suggests there is a particular focus on creating something more from this group of players than just an XI. and Rashid feels this is a distinct asset of McCullum’s.

“We perceive ourselves as a unified entity,” he conveys. “We feel like a family kind of environment, supporting one another irrespective of performance, you have a good day or a bad day. We strive to confirm we follow our ethics in that manner. Let’s ensure we remain united, that cohesion we share, that camaraderie.

“It’s a wonderful attribute, all members support one another and that’s the environment that Baz and we are trying to create, and we have developed. And with luck, we will, no matter if our day is successful or not.

“Baz is very relaxed, chilled out, but he is sharp in his mentoring role, he’s on it in that sense. And he wants to create that environment. Indeed, we are tranquil, we are serene, but we confirm that when we step onto the ground we are attentive and we are giving our all. A lot of credit goes to Baz for creating that environment, and with hope, we can continue that for much more time.”