West Indies legend Michael Holding is of the opinion that the English bowlers are “not encouraged to go fast” as the bowlers are fed with the importance of economy rate rather than taking wickets.

"If you're taking wickets, that's the important factor," said Holding to BBC. "But I have seen over the last 10 years or so, England don't seem to think that way."

The West Indian was asked whether the English were just too scared of pacers, to which he replied: "Yes, definitely.

He then went on to state the problem of England, citing the lack of pace as one of the reasons of their mauling in the hands of Australia.

"That was the problem with England in the Ashes, they didn't have anyone with real pace," added holding.

"England need people that can bowl 90mph and stay fit. England have found them in the past and there's no reason why they can't find them in the future."

Holding bemoaned the tendency of asking pacers to drop pace in order to bowl more accurately. This is done to ensure that a pacer doesn’t leak too many runs, something that frustrates the legendary former pacer.

"Fast bowlers in England are not encouraged to go fast, because when you are fast you are more liable to leak a few more runs per over than someone who is bowling medium pace and showing great control," said Holding.

"I heard so much about Steven Finn that he was going at four runs per over, and that was too many. But he was taking wickets. At one point, he was taking more wickets than the big names.

He then concluded by claiming that the economy rate doesn’t really matter much, it is the wickets column that does.