IT was a dream come true for Jersey’s Serena Guthrie yesterday as she was selected for the senior England netball squad for this week’s Malawi Test Series.

The 18-year-old is part of a 14-strong squad who will play matches in Sheffield and Coventry against the African team ranked fifth in the world, with the climax of the tour a third match for England, who are world-ranked third, at London’s Wembley Arena.

‘It’s all happened so quickly but it’s really good, I’m really happy,’ said the talented wing-defence player.

‘I got a call last Sunday inviting me to go for the training but I thought I would be going home after that. This is my first time in the senior group and I’m so happy to be involved and in the match squad. Training has been really high-intensity and much more physically demanding, but I’m learning new things, which I’m enjoying.’

From the 14 in the squad, 12 will be selected for each test and Guthrie, who is supported by Ogier, is aiming to make her debut at the magnificent Wembley stadium.

‘It is overwhelming playing with the top players, but I’ve simply tried my best and tried not to think about it. I’m now just going to go with it and see how I get on.

‘I don’t know if I’ll play, I’m not expecting anything. I know I have to work to prove myself as I have just come into the group. I have to continue to train at my best throughout the week to get into the 12 for the game, but Wembley is what I’m aiming for.’

Guthrie has had a notable season with her Superleague side Team Bath and has propelled herself up to the national side in a short space of time, having only made her England under-17 debut in 2006.

Her outstanding performance in February, when she featured for an England select side who won the Netball Europe Open, ensured that the former Le Rocquier student has remained on the road to national prominence within England’s set-up.

The Test series will be televised, with today’s game in Sheffield to be shown tomorrow and the second test on Wednesday broadcast the day afterwards. Both programmes are on Sky Sports 2 at 5.30 pm and will be repeated on Sky Sports Xtra.

The final test match, at Wembley, on Friday will be shown on Saturday at 5 pm and 11 pm on Sky Sports Xtra.