Sutton netballer Eboni Beckford-Chambers has warned England and Surrey Storm defenders Geva Mentor and Sonia Mkoloma she will be pushing them all the way for a starting slot at this year’s Commonwealth Games.

The 22-year-old Bristol University law student came off the bench for Mkoloma in the third quarter of Tuesday’s 45-43 defeat to Australia at the O2 Arena that saw the Diamonds seal a 2-1 series victory.

It proved a fleeting appearance with her rival for the goal defence slot returning in the final 15 minutes as the hosts let a six-point advantage slip in the closing stages.

England had clinched their first win over the southern hemisphere giants in 29-years in Liverpool on Friday night, before losing in Nottingham on Sunday ahead of the defeat in London.

But Team Bath’s Beckford-Chambers insists the last fortnight has inspired her to make sure she is at least on the plane to India in October and hard on the heals of her more experienced rivals.

“It has been a massive learning curve for me. Sonia and Geva have been great and I have learnt so much from them,” she said.

“It was disappointing to come off again, but sometimes you have to do your time on the bench and look at things before you are exposed at senior level.

“Sonia and Geva are a tough nut to crack and because I’m much younger than them I still have a lot to learn, but I’m always knocking on the door and making sure there is competition below them so they have got to be sharp.

“I’ve had so much encouragement from the coaches and they have shown they believe in other combinations.

“I’m so excited about the Commonwealths. It will be my first if I get there. Everything is a stepping stone towards that end.”

England tired in the final quarter on Tuesday after leading 35-29 at the end of the third, having played three games in five days in a bid to replicate tournament conditions they will experience in Delhi.

But Beckford-Chambers insists fitness levels are high and is looking forward to leading a young England team at the European Open Championships in April.

“It was disappointing to lose, but it is better to learn from these things now rather than in India when it is too late. Fitness levels are generally good we just need to respond better to what the opposition is doing,” she added.

“It is a case of going back to the drawing board and making sure there are no gaps when it comes to October.

“I’m excited about captaining the side in Cardiff. It is about putting in a solid performance and hopefully winning the Championship. Most importantly it is about having a bit of fun.”