The 37-year-old three-times world champion from Sheffield, due to retire this year, is among those named by Team England for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, which is scheduled to start on April 4.

The nine-strong team also includes Glasgow 2014 double silver medallist and Delhi 2010 silver medallist Laura Massaro and James Willstrop, winner of three silvers and a bronze from past Commonwealth Games.

At the last Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 2014, England topped the medal table in squash with a total of nine medals with two gold, five silver and three bronze.

At Gold Coast 2018 they will again be headlined by Matthew, winner of  gold and silver medals at Glasgow 2014 and two golds at Delhi 2010.

He has won the two most prestigious tournaments in the professional game, the British Open and the World Open, three times each.

"I'm delighted to be selected to compete at the 2018 Commonwealth Games," Matthew said.

"This will be my fourth Commonwealth Games and the three gold medals that I won in Delhi and Glasgow are amongst the highlights of my career.

"For a while, I didn't think I'd make it to my fourth Games so it's fantastic to be feeling in really great shape and ready to head to the Gold Coast.

"When I announced that this year would be my final playing season, I said that winning a fourth gold medal would be at the top of my list of goals, so I'll be doing everything I can to get that gold for Team England."

England have won at least one gold medal in squash at every Commonwealth Games where the sport has been on the programme and six of the selected athletes have previous Commonwealth Games experience.

The squad selected have 17 Commonwealth medals between them and a combined total of 737 England caps.

"The Commonwealth Games for squash players is our biggest event and it's always great to meet fellow sportspeople and enjoy being a part of Team England," Massaro, due to compete at her third Commonwealth Games, said.

"I'm hoping to turn my 2014 silver into 2018 gold."

Willstrop, who will be competing in the men’s doubles with Declan James, added: "The Commonwealth Games is an incredible experience and different to any tournament that we play on the professional tour.

"I have played in a few Commonwealth Games now and they are wonderful occasions.

"I have won Commonwealth medals before and I would love to win them again."

Also in the team is Daryl Selby, Adrian Waller, Alison Waters, Jenny Duncalf, and Sarah-Jane Perry.

Perry, James and Waller will be making their Commonwealth Games debuts.

"I’m proud that we will get to see Nick Matthew compete at his last Games – he has given a great service to Team England, becoming champion in both Delhi 2010 and Glasgow 2014, where he was our official flagbearer," said Sarah Winckless, Chef de Mission for England at Gold Coast 2018, 

"I’m sure he will be an inspirational team mate at the Games."