England vs West Indies 2017: Five areas where the hosts must work on

#2 The saga of the third pacer

Woakes was good in bits and parts but not as an overall package

When there is a pace bowling pair of James Anderson and Stuart Board available along with the likes of Ben Stokes to back it up, it is often easy to stamp it as a 'complete bowling attack'. The presence of these three men creates a sense of a false security and makes the prospect of a genuine third pacer look boring and unimportant.

England has made the same mistake. They have overlooked their third pacer and it has cost them heavily. Chris Woakes averages 30.60 in Tests and claims a wicket every 59 balls. His strike rate is similar to that of Anderson (56.4) and Broad (57.4) but what the numbers don't reveal is Woakes' failure to create the impact which his other partners often do.

Toby Roland-Jones had a sterling Test debut at Oval as he sent back four South African top order batsman in his first spell. He was effective against West Indies in the first Test as well, but again, Woakes was favoured over him.

The bowling department of England has close to 1000 Test wickets courtesy of Anderson- Broad. But the focus on these two has made the third pacer an Achilles heel. To gain supremacy in Tests, England must have a third-pacer who is able to support Anderson - Broad effectively and can also weave magic by his own.