Veteran England spinner Adil Rashid has been an integral part of the team's white-ball set-up for over a decade and keeps on going strong at the age of 37. He gave valiant contributions for the side in the recently-concluded ODI series against South Africa, picking up eight wickets in three matches. He has also been included in the Three Lions' playing XI for the first T20I against the Proteas.
Rashid, who has won both the ODI and T20I World Cup with England in his already illustrious career, has been absent from red-ball cricket since 2019. Though he had become quite an important part of the team in the longest format at one stage, he has now completely shifted his focus to white-ball cricket. Notably, Rashid hasn't announced his retirement from Tests, but is unlikely to receive a call-up any time soon.
With him still racking up wickets on a regular basis, Rashid feels that he can continue playing even till the age of 40 or beyond. He expressed his desire of playing the game for as long as possible and as long as his body can keep on performing at a certain level.
"I like to take it a game at a time, a day at a time and not look too far ahead in terms of World Cups in years to come. Just let things unfold and nature take its course," Rashid told reporters ahead of 1st T20I against South Africa.
"You do have the age factor in the back of your mind about getting to 40, 41, but who knows what can happen in one, two, three years' time? You want to play cricket for as long as possible, as long as the body can hold and you are performing to a certain level. If am well, I will try my best. Hopefully, if I keep performing, I can carry on," he added.
Rashid to not feature in The Ashes
Rashid also turned down talks regarding his Ashes return and remarked that he would refuse to feature in the red-ball format even if England come calling for him before the gruelling Australia tour. He also expressed confidence in the next generation of England spinners and stated that the team has already got that area sorted.
"It would be a no. I am quite comfortable and confident with what I have been doing since when I finished with red-ball cricket. I'm sure that won't come as the spinners coming through will put good performances in. I am sure England have got that sorted," Rashid stated.
England's playing XI for 1st South Africa T20I: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (WK), Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (C), Sam Curran, Tom Banton, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer.