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Following 16 years from his first appearance, the veteran spinner could be forgiven for tiring of the global cricket grind. Now in New Zealand for his 35th T20 international competition, he outlines that frantic, repetitive schedule while discussing the group-connecting brief holiday in Queenstown which began England’s cold-weather campaign: “Occasionally, such chances are rare when constantly traveling,” he states. “You land, you train, you play and you travel.”

Yet his enthusiasm is clear, not only when he talks about the near-term prospects of a squad that looks to be blooming guided by Harry Brook and his personal role within it, plus when seeing Rashid drill, perform, or spin. Yet while he succeeded in curbing New Zealand’s charge as they attempted to chase down England’s record‑breaking 236 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Monday night, as his four-wicket spell claimed almost all of their top five batsmen, there is nothing he can do to halt time.

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Rashid reaches 38 years old 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 will be nearly 40. His longtime friend and present podcast colleague Moeen Ali, only a few months older than him, stepped away from global cricket the previous year. Yet Rashid stays crucial: 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. But no plans exist for conclusion; his focus remains on bringing down opponents, not curtains.

“Totally, I retain the appetite, the craving to feature for England and symbolize my nation,” Rashid says. “As an individual, I think that’s the biggest achievement in any sport. I still have that passion there for England. 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’. At the moment I haven’t really thought of anything else. I hold that drive, and much cricket remains.

“I want to be part of this team, this squad we’ve got now, on the next journey we have, 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 await hopefully joining that expedition.

“We are unaware of what will occur. Around the corner things can change very quickly. Existence and cricket are highly uncertain. 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.”

In many ways this is no time to be thinking of endings, but instead of starts: a fresh team with a new captain, a new coach and new horizons. “We’re on that journey,” Rashid comments. “There are a few new faces. Certain individuals have left, others have arrived, and that’s simply part of the rotation. Yet we possess know-how, we have young talent, we feature top-tier cricketers, we’ve got Brendon McCullum, who’s a very, very good coach, and each person supports our objectives. Certainly, there will be obstacles during the journey, that’s part and parcel of the game, but we are undoubtedly concentrated and fully attentive, for any coming events.”

The desire to schedule that Queenstown trip, 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 believes this is a particular strength of McCullum’s.

“We sense we are a cohesive group,” he says. “We feel like a family kind of environment, 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 wonderful attribute, all members support one another and that’s the environment that Baz and we are trying to create, and we have built. And with luck, we will, no matter if our day is successful or not.

“Baz is very composed, laid-back, but he’s on the ball in terms of coaching, he is diligent in that regard. And he desires to foster that setting. Yes, we are relaxed, we are chilled, 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 hopefully we can carry that on for a lot longer.”