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More than a decade and a half since his debut, Adil Rashid could be forgiven for feeling exhausted by the international cricket treadmill. Now in New Zealand for his 35th international T20 series or tournament, he outlines that hectic, monotonous life while discussing the squad-uniting short trip in Queenstown which began England’s cold-weather campaign: “Occasionally, such chances are rare when constantly traveling,” he says. “Touch down, drill, perform, and journey.”

However, his passion is obvious, not only when he talks about the upcoming path of a team that appears to be thriving guided by Harry Brook and his individual spot on it, and also when observing Rashid practice, compete, or deliver. Yet while he succeeded in curbing New Zealand’s charge 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, no action can prevent the passage of 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 longtime friend and present podcast colleague Moeen Ali, merely some months elder, retired from international cricket last year. But Rashid remains integral: those four wickets took him to 19 so far this year, six more than any other Englishman. 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. Yet there are no considerations of retirement; his concentration is on overcoming foes, not ending his journey.

“Absolutely, I maintain the desire, the eagerness to compete for England and stand for my country,” Rashid affirms. “As an individual, I think that’s the biggest achievement in any sport. That fervor for England persists within me. I feel that once the passion fades, or whatever occurs, that’s the moment you consider: ‘Alright, let’s seriously ponder it’. Currently, I haven’t contemplated anything different. I’ve got that passion, there’s a lot of cricket to be played.

“I desire to join this team, this group we have currently, along the forthcoming path we tread, which ought to be rewarding and I intend to contribute. With luck, we can achieve victories and secure World Cups, all the positive outcomes. And I’m looking forward to hopefully participating in that journey.

“We cannot predict future events. Nearby, circumstances can alter swiftly. Life and the sport are immensely volatile. 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 more of origins: a novel squad with a different skipper, a different coach and fresh prospects. “We have begun that voyage,” Rashid says. “There are a few new faces. Some have gone out, some have come in, and that’s merely part of the process. But we’ve got experience, we’ve got youth, we feature top-tier cricketers, we have Brendon McCullum, an excellent coach, and everybody’s buying in to what we’re trying to achieve. Yes, there’s going to be hiccups along the way, that’s part and parcel of the game, but we’re definitely focused and really on the ball, for any coming events.”

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 believes this is a particular strength of McCullum’s.

“We feel like a unit,” he conveys. “We experience a familial atmosphere, encouraging each other no matter success or failure, if your outing is strong or weak. We’re trying to make sure we stick to our morals in that way. Let’s make sure we stick together, that unity we have, that brotherhood.

“It’s a great quality, each person defends their teammates 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 quite calm, easygoing, but he is sharp in his mentoring role, he is focused in that aspect. 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. A lot of credit goes to Baz for creating that environment, and ideally, we can sustain that for an extended period.”