Cape town: England's Test series in South Africa at the end of the year will feature four Tests instead of the anticipated five, after an agreement was reached between the ECB and Cricket South Africa to relieve the fixture congestion that is building up for the two teams next year.

England's tour will open with Twenty20 fixtures in Johannesburg and Centurion, followed by the ODI series with matches at the same venues as well as in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban.

The Test series begins December 16 in Centurion, followed by matches in Durban and Cape Town before ending in Johannesburg in January 2010.

"The Proteas had their best ever season in 2008, including a historic test series win over Australia, and they will be looking to stamp their mark again on world cricket against England," Cricket South Africa CEO Gerald Majola.

Schedule:

• Nov 13, 1st T20I, Johannesburg (d/n)
• Nov 15, 2nd T20I, Centurion
• Nov 20, 1st ODI, Johannesburg (d/n)
• Nov 22, 2nd ODI, Centurion
• Nov 27, 3rd ODI, Cape Town (d/n)
• Nov 29, 4th ODI, Port Elizabeth
• Dec 04, 5th ODI, Durban (d/n)
• Dec 16-20, 1st Test, Centurion
• Dec 26-30, 2nd Test, Durban
• Jan 03-07, 3rd Test, Cape Town
• Jan 14-18, 4th Test, Johannesburg