The current world champions fended off a comeback from their compatriots Selby and Waller in the men's doubles decider to run out as 11-3, 7-11, 11-9 winners following a gruelling 60-minute match.

Selby and Waller had also suffered in the Gold Coast 2018 final but at the hands of Australia's Zac Alexander and David Palmer.

"It's right up there," said Willstrop.

"A Commonwealth gold medal is one of the greatest things any squash player can achieve.

"It's almost elevated in some ways because it's very rare you're working with another player, a very special player and a special person.

"It's a great thing to share a win with someone in this way and we knew we were good enough.

"It's really special, we've proved it in practice all the time and it was just putting it together this week."

The result proved even more emotional for James who doubted if he would even be able to compete two months prior to the Games after tearing a quadricep in the gym.

Scottish pair Greg Lobban and Rory Stewart claimed bronze beforehand with a 2-0 win over Malaysia's Ng Eain Yow and Yuen Chee Wern.

The Scots towered over their opponents and the physical advantage was a key factor in securing the 11-10, 11-6.

In the women's doubles draw, New Zealand's Joelle King and Amanda Landers-Murphy won the tournament for the second time running.

The duo won both games 11-8 as King drew level with Australian Rachael Grinham for the most Commonwealth Games squash medals won by a woman with eight, while King boasts five golds to Grinham's two.

"We don't play for stats, but to hear my name in the calibre of people like Rach Grinham, who's one of our great squash players, it's pretty cool.

"It's motivated me to come back next time maybe, and try and get some more."

Rachel Arnold and Aifa Azman went up against Yiwen Chan and Ainaa Ampandi in an all-Malaysian match-up in the first fixture of the day.

Arnold and Azman swept their compatriots aside 11-3, 11-9 in under 30 minutes to claim the women's doubles bronze medal.