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More than a decade and a half since his debut, Adil Rashid might be excused for growing weary of the international cricket treadmill. Now in New Zealand for his 35th international T20 series or tournament, he describes that busy, routine existence as he mentions the team-bonding mini‑break in Queenstown with which England started their winter: “Sometimes you don’t get that opportunity when you’re always on tour,” he says. “Touch down, drill, perform, and journey.”

But his zeal is evident, not just when he discusses the immediate future of a squad that looks to be blooming guided by Harry Brook and his personal role within 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, during the T20 World Cup’s middle phase. When the next ODI World Cup occurs near the end of 2027 he’ll be close to 40. His great friend and now podcast co‑host Moeen Ali, just a few months his senior, retired from international cricket last year. However, Rashid continues essential: that four-wicket performance raised his annual count to 19, half a dozen beyond another English bowler. Only three English bowlers have taken so many T20 international wickets in a calendar year: Swann in 2010, Curran in 2022, and Rashid across 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2025. Yet there are no considerations of retirement; his focus remains on bringing down opponents, not curtains.

“Absolutely, I maintain the desire, the craving to feature for England and symbolize my nation,” Rashid says. “Personally, I believe that’s the top accomplishment in any athletic field. That fervor for England persists within me. I think that when the passion does die down, or whatever it is, that’s when you think: ‘OK, right, let’s have a real think about it’. Right now, I’ve not considered other options. I hold that drive, and much cricket remains.

“I desire to join this team, this group we have currently, during the upcoming adventure we face, 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 cannot predict future events. Around the corner things can change very quickly. Life and the sport are immensely volatile. I aim to keep focused on the now – each game separately, each phase gradually – and allow events to develop, observe where cricket and existence lead me.”

From several perspectives, this isn’t the moment to consider conclusions, but more of origins: a renewed side with a changed leader, a changed mentor and new vistas. “We’re on that journey,” Rashid notes. “There are a few new faces. Certain individuals have left, others have arrived, and that’s just part of the cycle. However, we hold expertise, we contain new blood, we include elite performers, we employ Brendon McCullum, a superb mentor, and each person supports our objectives. Yes, there’s going to be hiccups along the way, that’s inherent to the sport, but we are undoubtedly concentrated and fully attentive, for all future challenges.”

The desire to schedule that Queenstown trip, 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 thinks this is a unique talent of McCullum’s.

“We sense we are a cohesive group,” he says. “We experience a familial atmosphere, 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 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 created. 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 aims to generate that climate. 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. Significant acknowledgment is due to Baz for building that milieu, and ideally, we can sustain that for an extended period.”