After earning the No. 1 spot thrashing New Zealand at the start of 2016, Australia would have never imagined their run at Sri Lanka will turn out to be regretful, disappointing and appalling. Despite early practice sessions at the Island Nation before the series, it holds no importance if the efforts do not pay off and the team do not stand tall at time of adversities. The margin of 3-0 is huge, at least for Australia. Sri Lanka achieved this feat after 17 years. A team, who has been ruling over Sri Lanka after the 1999 victory, was found in dismay. Australia, who were proudly holding the top spot in Tests, have already lost the spot to India. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Sri Lanka vs Australia, 3rd Test at Colombo
They will need overcome the subcontinent dilemma in long run especially with the Test series against India approaching soon. Sri Lanka had won the Test series with one game to go, until Australia decided to provide tough fight in the final Test to seek redemption, that totally went wrong, eventually. Nevertheless, there were few who rose to the occasion while many failed to show their prowess at the need of hour. Let’s assess the Aussies, on a scale of 10 based on their performance:
Mitchell Starc, 9/10: Until Rangana Herath completed his round of wickets till the final innings, Starc was the leading wicker-taker in the series. It was the rise of Starc and perfect comeback for the left-arm fast bowler after prolong shoulder injury. Australia’s bowling coach Allan Donald had emphasised on reverse swing, given the conditions. He considered Starc crucial in those conditions ahead of Sri Lanka tour. Indeed, Donald’s trusted bowler completed the task successfully. Starc ended the Test series with 24 wickets and went past the record set by Richard Hadlee in 1984. He became the highest non-Asian wicket-taker in the subcontinent.
Shaun Marsh, 8/10: He entered the scene in the final Test, when Australia wanted to end their misery on positive note. Australia made few changes, dropping Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja for the last Test. Opening batsmen David Warner was dismissed for 11 before heading for Tea. Shaun was scored his fourth century and built vital partnership along with captain Steven Smith, upon his return. He was restricted to just one-off innings until the series had been decided. Shaun ended the series with 153 runs. However, Shaun has surely sealed his spot for the upcoming series against India, regardless of what happens at home. He is by a long margin, Australia’s most successful batsmen in Asia, with an average of well over 80.
Steven Smith, 6/10: Smith has been consistent with his performance in the series with two stand out innings. He scored half-century and century, completing 4,000 Test runs in the process. His few uncalled shots led to his dismissals at the hands of Sri Lanka’s veteran bowler Rangana Herath. Those dropped catches and conceding too many runs, lead to further melancholy. The positive about Smith remains the way he continued to play with dignity, despite his side being humiliated. He finally ended his series garnering 247 runs. ALSO READ: Australia’s harrowing outcome highlights failure to ram home advantages
Nathan Lyon, 5/10: Lyon tried to assert himself in this tour, but was unable to do so. His spin up method has been useful at home but did not paid off this time around. Lyon did spearhead the spin department gaining 16 wickets in total. When Australia needed someone to seize the moment, he could not do so. One point that stands out for Lyon is better figures in comparison to UAE tour in 2014.
Jon Holland, 5.5/10: His sudden call-up for injured Steve O’Keefe did work the trick for Australia, almost for a moment. The Sri Lankan batsmen found it difficult to cope with the spin and skid conditions in the second Test, but got the better of Holland in Colombo. Call-up for the second and final Test, left him with few wickets and struggled on Day Four. Hopefully, his short stint with five wickets, he has done enough to retain his place for the India series.
David Warner, 4/10: If Warner could have worked on doubling the 68 runs achieved in the final innings; his initial score of 41 and 42 would not have let down the side. This left him doubtful of his performance at the batting crease. It is now four overseas series since Warner last made a hundred. His total score at the end of the series was much lower than captain Smith.
Josh Hazlewood, 3.5/10: There was nothing spectacular or ordinary about Hazlewood. He did his job grabbing wickets at regular intervals and ended with seven wickets. He took advantage of the seam conditions at Pallekele but was unable to work on them in second and final Test. He bowled economically, although he received no opportunity to show his skills with the bat. ALSO READ: Smith reveals details of chat with Herath post Australia’s whitewash
Steve O’Keefe, 3/10: Had O’Keefe continued his series, Australia could have had an edge over Sri Lanka. He was the fourth best bowler after Lyon, Hazlewood and Starc in first Test with three wickets under his belt. Unfortunately, his hamstring injury sent him back home early. He can also be handy with the bat, adding necessary half-centuries as witnessed in the tour matches.
Mitchell Marsh, 3/10: The younger Marsh was useful with the bat unlike with the ball. He does have the spark of evolving in cricket. With just 2 wickets in the entire series has not been helpful for Australia. Marsh played left-arm spinners well, but fell into trap of Herath (that almost all batsmen fell for). He will want to develop on his bowling skills, if he wants get call-up ahead of India series.
Adam Voges, 2.5/10: Voges arrived in Sri Lanka with a Test average of 95.5 and the expectation mellowed down after playing on a series of slow. He managed to get himself dismissed in various ways. The Colombo match ended with an lbw by Herath. Voges had an excellent Test records against New Zealand. It stumbled in Sri Lanka series. Voges will need to balance his game to retain his place in Test.
Peter Nevill and Usman Khawaja, 2/10: Nevill is an admirable cricketer, but he was unable to build scores in Sri Lanka and his ‘keeping showing signs of deterioration as the series progressed. The dismissal of Karunaratne in the final Test was the only MS Dhoni-like moment while that got him all the accolades. As for Khawaja’s cheap exits and his dismissals led to him being dropped in the final Test. Shaun made full use of the opportunity in absence of Khawaja. ALSO READ: Australia’s overseas Test credentials take further pounding
Joe Burns, 1/10: Given his success last summer, Burns’ batting dropped drastically. His performance was poor in first and second Test, that led to him being dropped in Colombo. Before Australia select squad for India, the national side need to give chance to Burns to redeem himself.
Moises Henriqeus, 0.5/10: His selection surely left the cricket experts puzzled. Rather opting for Henriques, Burns or Khawaja could have been given yet another opportunity to prove their mettle. Sri Lanka continued with Karunratne despite his poor run. He is an excellent fielder but has unable to get any wickets. He ended with just 8 runs at end of the series.
(Shruti Hariharan is Content Writer with CricketCountry. You can follow her on Twitter at @Shruti_2890)