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After a decade and a half after his initial cap, England’s seasoned bowler would be justified in feeling exhausted by the global cricket grind. Now in New Zealand for his 35th T20 international competition, he describes that hectic, monotonous life as he mentions the team-bonding mini‑break in Queenstown with which England started their winter: “At times, these moments are scarce during endless tours,” he says. “Touch down, drill, perform, and journey.”

But his zeal is evident, not just when he discusses the immediate future of a team that appears to be thriving with Harry Brook and his own place in it, plus when seeing Rashid drill, perform, or spin. 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, with his four dismissals covering four of their leading five run-getters, there is nothing he can do to halt 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’ll be close to 40. His close pal and current podcast partner Moeen Ali, just a few months his senior, stepped away from global cricket the previous year. However, Rashid continues essential: that four-wicket performance raised his annual count to 19, six more than any other Englishman. 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. But no plans exist for conclusion; his focus remains on bringing down opponents, not curtains.

“One hundred per cent I’ve still got the hunger, the eagerness to compete for England and stand for my country,” Rashid declares. “From my view, that’s the greatest success in all sports. I still have that passion there for England. In my opinion, if the enthusiasm diminishes, or something similar, that’s when you think: ‘OK, right, let’s have a real think about it’. At the moment I haven’t really thought of anything else. 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. Ideally, we can taste success and claim World Cups, everything excellent. And I’m looking forward to hopefully participating in that journey.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen. Just ahead, situations can shift rapidly. Existence and cricket are highly uncertain. 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.”

In many ways this is no time to be thinking of endings, but instead of starts: a renewed side with a changed leader, a changed mentor and new vistas. “We are embarked on that path,” Rashid comments. “Several new players are present. Some have departed, some have joined, and that’s simply part of the rotation. However, we hold expertise, we contain new blood, we include elite performers, we have Brendon McCullum, an excellent coach, 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’re definitely focused and really on the ball, for all future challenges.”

The wish to arrange that Queenstown visit, and the recruitment of the former All Blacks mental skills 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 perceive ourselves as a unified entity,” he says. “We experience a familial atmosphere, backing each other regardless of whether you perform or don’t perform, 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 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 built. And hopefully we can, regardless of whether we have a good day or a bad day.

“Baz is quite calm, easygoing, 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. Significant acknowledgment is due to Baz for building that milieu, and with hope, we can continue that for much more time.”