2018 Commonwealth Games day eight: Australia exceed Glasgow gold haul but chase continues

It's New Zealand versus England now but it's be the Aussie pair of McHugh and Schumann, who are yet to lose a set in the tournament, take on Canada. Our women's team will be in action in the gold medal event later tonight.

Cycling: New Zealand has done the double in the Mountain Biking event. Samuel Gaze and Anton Cooper crossed almost simultaneously, both recording a 1:17:36. Gaze took gold; Cooper silver.

Alan Hatherly of South Africa rounded out the podium 20 seconds later to claim bronze, while Australian entry Daniel McConnell (1:19:59) finished 7th - 2:23 off the pace.

Lawn Bowls: Australia edged out New Zealand in the Open B6/B7/B8 Triples final, which caters for bowlers with a range of disabilities.

Australia led for the majority of the gold medal match, right up until the conclusion of the penultimate end - New Zealand taking the lead for the first time.

At 12-13 heading into the final end, Australia notched two shots to see the threat off and ensure another gold medal for the home nation.

Australia 14 New Zealand 13

Beach Volleyball: The Australian group will attempt to the double on the final day of competition, with the Australian Men's and Women's entries both playing for gold.

The combination of Christopher McHugh and Damien Schumann will battle out with Samuel Pedlow and Sam Schachter of Canada. The home side are slight favourites to claim overall honours.

Cycling: The Men's Mountain Biking is underway after the Canadian domination in the Women's event this morning.

So far it is the New Zealanders that are leading the charge, with the only Australian in the field, Daniel McConnell sitting more than a minute behind the pace, in eigth.

We're in the final few laps of the race now - update to come.

Athletics: Despite the heartbreaking loss of Sally Pearson to injury, two Australians will line up in the Women's 100m Hurdles tomorrow night.

Brianna Beahan posted a personal best-equalling time (13.02) to ensure she will take to the track again, while fan favourite Michelle Jenneke posted a 12.99 - not enough to claim a top-three spot and automatic qualification in the other heat, but still good enough to go through overall.

A mere 242 days after his athletics career culminated in an anguished yelp and a twanged hamstring on the London track, Usain Bolt returned here to the major championship stage, glad-handing Gold Coast volunteers galore and dancing with mascot Borobi, a bright-blue koala.

There was to be no repeat of the controversy that marred his last Commonwealth Games, which he allegedly described as "a bit s---" in response to the dismal Scottish summer weather. This time, there was just some obligatory gushing about Australia as part of his duties as a Games ambassador.

Bolt is understood to have been paid handsomely for his appearance, designed to elevate the last few days of competition, although Gold Coast chief executive David Grevemberg insisted that the fee was "not exorbitant".

Diving: Melissa Wu led the Australian contingent in the 10m Platform Preliminary this afternoon, finishing third with an overall score of 327.20, falling into place behind two Malaysian competitors.

Pandelela Rinong Pamg is in pole position ahead of tonight's final after a clean 339 total, with Jun Hoong Cheong posting 330.10.

Competitors will climb to the top of the stairs at the diving pool once again come 9:15pm, with the home crowd guaranteed to get behind the rest of the Australians, Brittany O'Brien (304.75) and Teju Williamson (293.80).

After last night's gold, the Starc family can now lay claim another national hero amongst their ranks. Brandon Starc, brother of Australian cricketer Mitchell, took the first High Jump gold for Australia in more than two decades.

A men's squash pairing from Sierra Leone have become the latest African athletes to miss their event at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Hours after Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton warned athletes who breached their visa conditions they'd be tracked down, locked up and deported, Sierra Leone's Ernest Jombla and Yusif Mansaray did not appear for their men's doubles match on Thursday morning.