NEIL Smith's dream has come true - after several near-misses he has finally been selected to represent England in an indoor Test match.

Smith has been named in the England team for the forthcoming Co-operative Funeralcare Mixed Test match against Wales at Stanley Indoor BC (Co. Durham) on the weekend of September 26-27.

The Wiltshire player, from Peatmoor, West Swindon, who has just celebrated his 49th birthday this week, plays indoors at Westlecot but outdoors for Wootton Bassett and is named in the six-strong England team along with Perry Martin (Swale) and Graham Smith (Spalding) and ladies Lauren Copeland (Hartlepool), Zoe Eagles (York) and Sarah Seymour (Ely).

The format of the Test match will be sets play with two triples and three mixed pairs matches on the first day (Saturday) followed by six singles on the second day. One point will be awarded to the winner of each match with the team with the most points declared the winners.

Smith said: “I'm absolutely delighted to have been selected for the Test Match against Wales.”

“Having sat and watched for the last two seasons I did wonder if I would ever get the chance to play for England.

“I have always believed in my ability and now have a chance to prove myself and force my way into the International Series team in March.”

Smith is playing outdoors this week in the Southampton Open and in the triples with Jersey internationals Malcolm De Sousa and Scott Rudderman.

Next week, after a brief visit to Leamington to watch his two daughters Lucy and Katy in the junior (U25s) singles, he play will be back on the south coast competing in the Bournemouth Open in the singles and pairs with Welsh international Neil Collett.

Besides the mixed Test match versus Wales in September, England have also named two strong sides to face Scotland in two two-day men’s and ladies Test matches at Stanley in late October and early November.

Smith’s full call-up to the England indoor side is just reward for his hard work and performances both indoors and outdoors in recent seasons.

In 2014-15 he was a quarter-finalist in the indoor fours championship, runner-up in the Planetbowls Grand Prix in an epic final that went right down to the last wood and non playing reserve for England in the International Series versus Ireland, Wales and Scotland.

The previous season he was also on the bench for the International Series, won the Ipswich Open and reached the triples last 16 and was runner-up in Wey Valley and Dolphin (Poole) Opens.

In 2013, Smith finished as runner-up in the national men’s indoor singles and won the Desborough (Maidenhead) Open beating Greg Harlow.

Outdoors, he has earned 109 caps for Wiltshire in the Middleton Cup and was a national triples runner-up at Worthing three years ago.