Australia smash India to win hockey gold on final day of Commonwealths Games

Australia demolished India 7-0 in the men's hockey final on Monday to maintain their perfect record at the Commonwealth Games and end their gold medal hunt in style.

The six-time defending champions showed their opponents no mercy in sweltering conditions on the final day of sporting action in Birmingham.

Australia have won every gold medal in men's hockey since the sport joined the Commonwealth Games programme in 1998.

The dominant Australians were 2-0 up after the first quarter and two goals from Jacob Anderson helped put them 5-0 up after 30 minutes.

Australian players celebrate after winning the gold medal during the men's final hockey match against India. AP

Nathan Ephraums scored his second to make it 6-0 and Flynn Ogilvie completed the rout early in the final quarter. Australia's Blake Govers said the team had saved their best performance until last.

"That's what we pride ourselves on," he said. "It's awesome to do it without too much of a heart problem. "We had to play with confidence and play forward and take the game on from the start, and that's what we did. That's the difference between the two games (final and semi-final against England)." Host nation England beat South Africa 6-3 to take bronze.

Australia have topped the medals table with 67 golds —10 ahead of England. Canada are third with 26 golds and India have 22.

The closing ceremony takes place at Alexander Stadium later on Monday, bringing to an end 11 days of sporting action at the 22nd Commonwealth Games.

Agence France-Presse