By Andy Hampson, PA Sport

Ian Thorpe claimed his sixth gold medal of the Commonwealth Games as he wrapped up another triumphant night for Australia at the Aquatics Centre.

The 19-year-old sensation led home his country's 4x100 medley relay team as the Australians ended their glorious stay in Manchester by claiming another six gold medals.

The victory of Thorpe and team-mates Matt Welsh, Jim Piper and Geoff Huegill followed five earlier outstanding Australian performances.

Grant Hackett, Petria Thomas, Piper, Jennifer Reilly and the women's 4x100m medley relay team also tasted victory in other events.

Thorpe brought his side back in a Games record three minutes 36.05 seconds, leaving England's Adam Ruckwood, Adam Whitehead, James Hickman and Matthew Kidd to take silver.

Thorpe was quick to salute his team-mates after writing his name in Commonwealth history.

He told Australian television station Channel 7: "These guys put in a great performance tonight.

"This team's really come together well. Swimming with these guys was just a privilege."

Ruckwood admitted England were always going to have to settle for silver.

He said: "For me it was just about trying to stay close to those guys. The Canadians and South Africans were our main competition."

Whitehead claimed the past few days had been "the best week of my life spent in the company of the best guys".

Mancunian Hickman said: "It was a real team effort.

"Everyone has supported everyone else and we've got the medals to show for it. It was tough against the Australians but we were determined to go for second place and hang onto it."