But a botched day two in the opening Test in Kandy, when they squandered a fine bowling effort having dismissed the locals for 117, began a slide they never recovered from. That Test would be lost, while the debacle in Galle, when they lost their final eight wickets of the first innings on the morning of day two, and another three in their second innings before stumps on a stunning day where 21 wickets fell overall, will sting for some time.

Only the indefatigable Mitchell Starc emerged as a consistent success story for the tour, with questions over his fellow bowlers and the batting. Clearly, dealing with the sub-continent remains a major issue for Australia, as shown in the Fairfax Media player rankings.

David Warner:

163 runs at 27.16

Threatened to deliver a break-out score but just couldn't do so. Was under-done heading into the first Test because the broken index finger he suffered in the Caribbean, although he had enjoyed a brilliant home series against New Zealand last summer after recovering from injury. A pair of 40s in Galle, when the ball was hard, indicated he had regained his groove but he was guilty of rash strokes in the first innings in Colombo when the tourists really needed him. His record on the road in recent times is modest.

Rating: C

Joe Burns

34 runs at 8.5 in four innings

This was a rugged tour for the Australian opener, who made way for Shaun Marsh for the dead-rubber clash in Colombo. Selection chairman Rod Marsh was pleased with how Burns had been more aggressive in the second innings in Kandy, when he made 29. But he was completely out of sorts in Galle, falling on the second ball of the innings when caught at square leg pulling debutant quick Vishwa Fernando, and uppishly driving Rangana Herath to short cover in the second. He had enjoyed a strong home summer and tour of New Zealand to that point, having been man of the match in Australia's win in Christchurch. Selectors have said he will be in the frame for a recall for the home series against South Africa, but Marsh's century has cast doubt on that.

Rating: D

Usman Khawaja heads off in Galle. Photo: AP

Usman Khawaja

55 runs at 13.75 in four innings

Another to have enjoyed a strong home summer, only to struggle in Sri Lanka and be axed for the dead-rubber. The left-hander was completely confused by the spin, particularly from off-spinner Dilruwan Perera, who dismissed him three times. He was dismissed twice in one day on a woeful second day in Galle when he twice played back to Perera, only to be beaten by deliveries which skidded on. Khawaja is still a class No.3 and will return for the South African series. But he has work to do to be selected for the tour of India inFebruary.

Rating: D

Shaun Marsh

153 runs at 76.5

Former Australian captain Allan Border wanted Marsh recalled for Galle but he had to wait until Colombo, when the series was over. The West Australian is one of his nation's best combatants of spin, and reinforced that with a ton as a replacement opener for Burns. He did have some good fortune, offering three grassed chances. Marsh supplied 23 in the second innings before he was snapped up at bat pad. The knock on Marsh has been his propensity to "nick off" early in his innings when facing the quicks, so his spot will be an intriguing debate heading into the home summer. He will tour India.

Rating: A

Steve Smith

247 runs at 41.16

Suffered his first Test and series defeats as skipper, but this could be the making of his leadership. His frustration was, at times, obvious in the field when he assumed the "teapot" stance or had his hands on his head. Didn't help himself with two dropped chances in Sri Lanka's first innings in Colombo. Will be better for learning the nuances of field placings on the sub-continent. Smith worked hard behind the scenes to keep the confidence of the team high and publicly detailed what the team needed to do to improve. Execution was another matter. Had been his team's top series scorer leading into Colombo with a modest return but then delivered a patient ton to give his side a chance of victory. Will need to decide whether he wants to bowl more overs on the sub-continent.

Rating: B

Adam Voges loses his wicket in Colombo. Photo: AP

Adam Voges

118 runs at 19.66

Had a frustrating series of middling scores, having begun promisingly with 47 in the first innings in Kandy, but he never really looked settled against spin. Voges will turn 37 in October and could find himself dropped if room needs to be found for Marsh, Khawaja and Burns. If he survives, he will need a strong score early in the South African series. Does provide a calmness within the team and boasts a sharp mind.

Rating: C-

Mitch Marsh

163 runs at 27.16, 2 wickets at 59.

Continues to build as an all-rounder, reaching double figures with the bat in five of his first six innings. One theory was that he should have been used ahead of Josh Hazlewood to open the bowling, allowing the tourists to play an extra batsman or a third spinner – if they had one. Adopted an attacking mantra with the bat and conjured the second half-century of his career, in Colombo. Yet to categorically lock down the all-rounder role, but is still the preferred option ahead of Moises Henriques. Will want a big score with the bat this summer.

Rating: C

Peter Nevill

51 runs at 8.5

Australia needs more runs from the No.7 spot than Nevill delivered, particularly with a fragile top order. He has been a fine middle-order batsman in Shield cricket but has been unable to consistently replicate that in his 15 Tests. One theory is that he bats better with a specialist batsman at the other end, as opposed to the need to take charge when stuck with the tail. His glove-work was neat in tough, steamy conditions and was capped off with a nifty stumping of Dimuth Karunaratne in Colombo.

Rating: C

Mitchell Starc

24 wickets at 15.16

On decks which were suited to spin, Starc's pace, ability to knock over the top order and then return with reverse swing made him the standout bowler of the tour. This was a heavy-duty performance by a man who has embraced the spearhead role. He dismantled Sri Lanka's top-order, to the point they were forced to shuffle their top three, while dismissing the left-handed Dimuth Karunaratne five times. Amid the disaster that was Galle, his 5-44 and 6-50 were arguably the highlights of a tour that the visitors hope will have them better placed for India in the new year. Finished with the most wickets by a visiting quick in Sri Lanka – besting Sir Richard Hadlee's 23 in 1983.

Rating: A+

Josh Hazlewood

7 wickets at 32.71

Starc thanked his fellow new-ball partner for his support but the bottom line was that the NSW quick provided a modest return – three of his wickets came in the first innings in Kandy. His pace, particularly in Colombo, appeared down and he isn't the type of bowler who regularly hits the pitch hard, which is what is needed on the sub-continent. Whether he is suited to Asian conditions, or can develop greater variety, is something the selectors are likely to ponder.

Rating: C-

Nathan Lyon

16 wickets at 31.93

Toiled diligently but was unable to claim a bag of wickets the tourists needed to stay in the contest – most notably on day four in Colombo. Smith and coach Darren Lehmann said after the Galle Test that the spinners had underperformed, and needed more variety, particularly the ability to bowl with a sliding "side seam". This style had helped the Sri Lankan spinners to befuddle the tourists with deliveries which appeared as if they would spin but didn't, resulting in bowled and lbw dismissals. Lyon countered by claiming he had good wrist variety but was still learning how to tame the sub-continent.

Rating: B-

Steve O'Keefe leaves the pitch at the end of the first Test in Pallekele. Photo: AP

Steve O'Keefe

3 wickets at 24.66

The tourists had banked on the left-arm finger spinner having a prosperous campaign, whether that be taking wickets or being used in more of a holding role. But his tour ended in the second innings in Kandy thanks to a strained hamstring. The spinners here have needed to bowl in a more crouched position, in a bid to impart more "side seam" spin. Then he was fined $10,000 by Cricket Australia for a boozy night out in Sydney upon his return. Is still the second-best spinning option behind Lyon, and almost certainly will tour India.

Rating: C

Jon Holland

5 wickets at 54.8

Had leapt from fourth in the spinning pecking order to second, thanks to injuries to O'Keefe and Ashton Agar. Was flown in just days before the Galle Test and battled hard in a match the tourists will want to forget. But Smith didn't appear to have full confidence in him. Worked on introducing more of a round-arm technique ahead of Colombo and was unlucky not to claim another wicket or two. The selectors are keen to have a left-arm finger spinner in the attack but Holland's faces an enormous fight to be seen again in the Test arena. Agar shapes as being the third spinner taken to India, as he is a better batsman.

Rating: D

Moises Henriques

8 runs at 4, two overs (0 wickets)

Was taken as insurance for Mitch Marsh but then was drafted into the XI in Colombo in place of the dumped Khawaja. Oddly, was not given a bowl in Sri Lanka's first innings of 141.1 overs and was an after-thought in the second innings, with two overs. He lacks the pace of Marsh. It's still unclear where his role lay in terms of the big picture.

Rating: D

Jackson Bird, Nathan Coulter-Nile

Back-up fast bowlers who worked diligently at training but did not get an opportunity.