West Cumbrian star Dan Bewley picked up a silver medal with Great Britain in the FIM Speedway of Nations.
He and Robert Lambert had shouldered responsibility on semi-final night after their third rider Tai Woffinden was ruled out following a training accident.
A magnificent effort by the GB pair had seen them top the standings after the qualifying races.
But Australia, with Sheffield star Jack Holder and Belle Vue’s Max Fricke racing their full schedule, took the honours in the Final to end a 20-year wait for a World team title.
Bewley, from Maryport, said: “We’ve had a great week and it was great to reach the final, although disappointing in the end. I do think I made some mistakes but overall I’m happy with my performance and looking forward to next year and regaining the title.”
Lambert said: “The way it went was that Dan and I knew we would be taking all the races. When you don’t know who is going to be racing where, it does put some pressure on the riders.
“We just went out to do a job and try to get straight through to the Grand Final. We managed to do that.
“It just didn’t happen in the Grand Final, but it’s cool what we are doing with GB. That’s two medals in two years – that’s a good return and we have to be happy with that.”
