🔗 Share this article

More than a decade and a half after his initial cap, Adil Rashid could be forgiven for feeling exhausted by the non-stop cricket circuit. Presently touring New Zealand for his 35th T20 international competition, he outlines that frantic, repetitive schedule as he mentions the team-bonding mini‑break in Queenstown which began England’s cold-weather campaign: “Occasionally, such chances are rare when constantly traveling,” he remarks. “You land, you train, you play and you travel.”

However, his passion is obvious, not merely when he reflects on the upcoming path of a side that seems to be flourishing guided by Harry Brook and his personal role within 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 Christchurch’s Hagley Oval on Monday night, with his four dismissals covering four of their leading five run-getters, he cannot do anything to stop time.

Australian bowler Scott Boland blocks out comments from past England stars pre-Ashes

In February, Rashid hits the age of 38, 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 close to 40. His longtime friend and present podcast colleague Moeen Ali, just a few months his senior, retired from international cricket last year. But Rashid remains integral: that four-wicket performance raised his annual count to 19, six ahead of any other England player. 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. But there are still no thoughts of the end; his attention stays on defeating rivals, not closing his career.

“One hundred per cent I’ve still got the hunger, the eagerness to compete for England and stand for my country,” Rashid says. “Personally, I believe that’s the top accomplishment in any athletic field. I continue to hold that zeal for England. I think that when the passion does die down, or whatever it is, then you reflect: ‘Okay, time to genuinely evaluate it’. At the moment I haven’t really thought of anything else. 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, on the next journey we have, which ought to be rewarding and I intend to contribute. Hopefully we can experience some wins and win World Cups, all the good stuff. And I await hopefully joining that expedition.

“We are unaware of what will occur. Just ahead, situations can shift rapidly. 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 let things unfold, see where cricket and life takes me.”

In numerous aspects, now is not the period to ponder finishes, 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. Some have departed, some have joined, and that’s merely part of the process. However, we hold expertise, we contain new blood, we’ve got world‑class players, we employ Brendon McCullum, a superb mentor, and all are committed to our goals. Certainly, there will be obstacles during the journey, that’s part and parcel of the game, but we are surely dedicated and completely prepared, for all future challenges.”

The aim to plan that Queenstown excursion, and the appointment of previous All Blacks mindset trainer Gilbert Enoka, implies a specific concentration on developing additional value from this squad apart from a lineup. and Rashid thinks this is a unique talent of McCullum’s.

“We feel like a unit,” he conveys. “We experience a familial atmosphere, encouraging each other no matter success or failure, you have a good day or a bad day. 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 nice thing to have, everybody’s got each other’s backs and that’s the culture Baz and we seek to form, and we have developed. And ideally, we shall, irrespective of performance outcomes.

“Baz is very composed, laid-back, but he is attentive regarding coaching, he is diligent in that regard. And he aims to generate that climate. Indeed, we are tranquil, we are serene, but we’re making sure that when we go on that pitch we’re focused and we’re going for it. A lot of credit goes to Baz for creating that environment, and hopefully we can carry that on for a lot longer.”