I'm delighted but exhausted

Peter Nicol

England had four match points at 14-10 in the second game only for the Australians to save the first two.

But then Ricketts mistimed a return and the ball dropped to the floor, prompting exuberant celebrations from Nicol and Beachill.

"This is absolutely fantastic," said 29-year-old Nicol.

"I was determined not to leave here without a gold medal. I felt I let the team down in the individual final but this makes up for it completely.

"I'm delighted but exhausted. It's been a long 10 or 15 days since we first met up at our training camp in Birmingham and it has been a mental battle from start to finish."

Beachill insisted the match had been played in better spirit than yesterday's semi-final against the other Australians, David Palmer and Paul Price, which ended with the teams having to be separated.

'Nothing malicious'

"There was a bit of rivalry but nothing malicious," said the 24-year-old.

"What was said and done was taken out of context."

But Ricketts, who constantly opened the door of the court to question decisions made by referee Chas Evans, claimed it was not an entirely friendly match.

"I think you could tell there was a bit of animosity out there," said Ricketts.

"I think it's a good thing in sport and it's always like that between England and Australia. But this game didn't go to push and shove."

Rorani was a double gold medal winner

England were denied double gold when Cassie Jackman and Tania Bailey lost the women's final 15-11 5-15 15-13 to Carol Owens and Leilani Rorani.

The New Zealand pair's win meant Rorani collected two gold medals on the final day of action at the National Squash Centre.

Earlier she and Glen Wilson sealed an incredible win in the mixed doubles.

Former world number one Rorani was playing her first tournament in eight months following an achilles injury, and Glen Wilson has not played on the world circuit for four years.

But the Kiwis still had enough to see off second seeds Nicol David and Beng Hee Ong, 15-11 15-9.

"I didn't think I was any good coming over here," said Rorani. "It was so hard coming back and I made so many errors.

"Glen and I just joked to each other, 'Wouldn't it be cool to win a gold medal'. It's such a buzz."