SWINDON and Great Britain manager Alun Rossiter had the last laugh as his much-criticised side overcame Australia to comfortably win the opening round of the World Cup at King’s Lynn, writes Phil Rice.

The British side set the early pace with five successive heat wins from the outside gates.

Captain Craig Cook won his first four races while his colleagues each had three victories. Thirteen heat wins and seven second places saw the side overcome an Australia side not risking the injured Swindon star Jason Doyle, and only a joker six-point victory from Chris Holder gave the scoreline some respectability from the Aussie point of view.

Swindon rider Nick Morris had a difficult night for Australia including a fall in heat two, while Adam Ellis was not called upon at reserve for the home side.

The GB team now meet holders and massive title favourites Poland in the final at Leszno with the other finalists determined at meetings on Tuesday and Friday.

Monster Energy FIM Speedway World Cup event one King’s Lynn.

GREAT BRITAIN 53: Craig Cook 14, Robert Lambert 13, Chris Harris 13, Steve Worrall 13, Adam Ellis did not ride.

AUSTRALIA 44: Chris Holder 19, Troy Batchelor 12, Max Fricke 8, Nick Morris 5, Jason Doyle did not ride.

USA 15: Gino Manzares 7, Ricky Wells 3, Dillon Ruml 2, Luke Becker 2, Broc Nicol 1.

CZECH REPUBLIC 13: Vaclav Milik 6, Josef Franc 4, Hynek Stichaeur 3, Matej Kus 0, Eduard Krcmar 0.