Guthrie has decided to retire from international and domestic netball as she prepares for next the next stage of her life with partner Bob Kersten.

"Bob and I are thrilled to be expecting our first child together," said Guthrie.

"Being a mum is an amazing new chapter in my life and I’m really excited about what that’s going to bring to me.

"I cannot wait to be part of the netball family willing on the Vitality Roses in the Commonwealth Games this summer in Birmingham and being the biggest cheerleader for Team Bath for the rest of the Vitality Netball Superleague season.

"It’s been an absolute pleasure and honour to have been able to play netball domestically and internationally for so long, working and playing alongside the most incredible group of athletes and staff along the way.

"It’s been a real privilege to be the Vitality Roses captain for as long as I have and want to thank everyone for their support in helping to make my journey in netball so special."

England Netball said Guthrie is widely regarded as one of the greatest mid-court players in the game, achieving the first of 110 senior England caps aged just 18.

Guthrie represented England at three Netball World Cups, winning a bronze medal at each.

She was part of two England squads at the Commonwealth Games, helping the team to secure their maiden gold medal at Gold Coast 2018 where they overcame hosts Australia in the final.

Guthrie captained England on 28 occasions, including during the Netball World Cup in Liverpool in 2019.

Guthrie was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2020 for services to netball.

England head coach Jess Thirlby offered her congratulations to Guthrie and Kersten, before paying tribute to the former’s contribution to the sport.

"Serena has long been a part of her own Vitality Roses family and has led them as captain in her own maternal way, invested in each and every person and wanting the best for them and out of them," Thirlby said.

"As Serena embarks on the next chapter of her life she leaves her DNA across this exciting Vitality Roses team and in her own, very special way has helped to ready the team for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this summer.

"Not only is Serena one of the most well-respected netballers across the global landscape but she is much loved by the fans and her team-mates and it has always been her character, charisma and free-spirited outlook on life that has translated onto the court in how she performs which has drawn so many people into the game.

"Serena is the ultimate team player, always putting the needs of the team above herself.

"Whilst we will miss her hugely it is a time to celebrate all that Serena has contributed not only to the Vitality Roses but to the sport overall.

"Her legacy will continue to live on in generations of players to come, such is the impact she has had on and beyond the court.

"This Vitality Roses team, players and staff are buoyed by Serena’s news and it will inspire us all to continue to prepare meticulously for Birmingham and make the nation proud."

Guthrie had shared news of her pregnancy with England players and staff, as well as at her Netball Superleague side Team Bath.

Guthrie played for Team Bath for two separate periods during her career, the first in 2006-2007, winning the Superleague title in her first season.

She took a break from United Kingdom domestic netball in 2014 to travel to New Zealand to play for the Northern Mystics until 2017 when she moved to Australia’s Suncorp Super Netball League to play for Giants Netball for two seasons.

Guthrie returned home to Team Bath in 2019.

Medical staff and performance teams are set to support Guthrie in the coming months as she prepares for birth of her first child.