The Ashes 2013: Australian team profiles, No 11 Lyon's third task is so demanding it would be a big ask for Hercules. He has to go head-to-head with Graeme Swann in the next six months and not suffer by comparison with the world's best orthodox off-spinner - Saeed Ajmal being most unorthodox. But let us not assume this is going to be a walkover, or be deceived by Lyon's unglamorous image, receding hairline and modest persona. When asked why he did not have a 'doosra', he replied with self-effacing humour that he did have a mystery ball - and it was called Jeff. Where Nathan, and Jeff, can compete with Swann is in strike-rate. Both off-spinners in this Ashes series will get a real rip on the ball and accordingly dismiss batsmen, both left and right-handed, with bounce and turn. The difference lies in their accuracy and, therefore, their economy rate. Both are attacking off-spinners but Swann, if needs be, can push it through on a length to keep a batsman quiet, setting him up for the England pace bowler at the other end. Lyon is not adept at bowling maidens. Aiming outside off-stump in the style of Australian offies, he gets picked off on both sides of the wicket. And he forever seems to be dropping one ball an over short, to be comfortably turned to deep square. Swann can attack and defend, Lyon only attack. But don't underestimate him. He, like Swann, will have Mitchell Starc's footmarks to aim into. In India, after being dropped, he bounced back and added to his bow the string of bowling round the wicket on a turner. Lyon is tireless too and works very hard at his game: from starting as a one-dimensional cricketer, he has become a decent outfielder and he averages 14, which is not bad for a No 11. But as long as Swann is fit, England will keep a grip on the Ashes urn. He is more highly skilled than Lyon, and it is Swann who can be expected to take the lion's share.