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More than 16 years since his debut, Adil Rashid might be excused for tiring of the international cricket treadmill. Currently in New Zealand for his 35th global T20 event, he summarises that frantic, repetitive schedule while discussing 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. “You land, you train, you play and you travel.”

Yet his enthusiasm is clear, not merely when he reflects on the immediate future of a squad that looks to be blooming with Harry Brook and his individual spot on it, but also when watching Rashid train, play or bowl. Yet while he succeeded in curbing New Zealand’s charge as they attempted to chase down England’s record‑breaking 236 at the Hagley Oval ground in Christchurch on Monday night, when his four‑wicket haul included all but one of their five highest scorers, he cannot do anything to stop time.

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Rashid will turn 38 in February, midway through the T20 World Cup. By the time the next one‑day international version is played towards the end of 2027 he’ll be close to 40. His close pal and current podcast partner Moeen Ali, merely some months elder, ended his international cricket career last year. Yet Rashid stays crucial: those four dismissals brought his yearly tally to 19, half a dozen beyond another English bowler. Only three English bowlers have taken so many T20 international wickets in a calendar year: Graeme Swann in 2010, Sam Curran in 2022, and Rashid in 2021, 2022, 2024 and now 2025. But no plans exist for conclusion; his focus remains on bringing down opponents, not curtains.

“Absolutely, I maintain the desire, the hunger to play for England and represent my country,” Rashid declares. “Personally, I believe that’s the top accomplishment in any athletic field. I still have that passion there for England. I feel that once the passion fades, or whatever occurs, then you reflect: ‘Okay, time to genuinely evaluate it’. Currently, I haven’t contemplated anything different. I possess that passion, with plenty of cricket ahead.

“I desire to join this team, this group we have currently, 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 are unaware of what will occur. Nearby, circumstances can alter swiftly. It’s very unpredictable, life and cricket. I aim to keep focused on the now – each game separately, each phase gradually – and let things unfold, see where cricket and life takes me.”

In numerous aspects, now is not the period to ponder finishes, but instead of starts: a renewed side with a changed leader, a changed mentor and new vistas. “We are embarked on that path,” Rashid says. “A handful of fresh members exist. Some have gone out, some have come in, and that’s merely part of the process. Yet we possess know-how, we have young talent, we feature top-tier cricketers, we have Brendon McCullum, an excellent coach, and all are committed to our goals. Indeed, setbacks will occur on the path, that’s typical in cricket, but we are undoubtedly concentrated and fully attentive, for whatever lies ahead.”

The wish to arrange that Queenstown visit, and the appointment of previous All Blacks mindset trainer 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 expresses. “We experience a familial atmosphere, backing each other regardless of whether you perform or don’t perform, whether your day is positive or negative. 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 atmosphere Baz and we aim to establish, and we have built. And ideally, we shall, irrespective of performance outcomes.

“Baz is very relaxed, chilled out, but he’s on the ball in terms of coaching, he’s on it in that sense. And he wants to create that environment. Yes, we are relaxed, we are chilled, 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 hopefully we can carry that on for a lot longer.”