England travel to India later this year

England will play a four-Test series against India in 2011, the England and Wales Cricket Board has announced.

The ECB reached an agreement with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about the tour to India this November and the home series in 2011.

The BCCI got their wish to play two Test matches and seven one-day internationals, rather than three Tests and five one-dayers later this year.

In 2011 they will play four Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20.

India are facing a busy fixture list this autumn with September's ICC Trophy in Pakistan being followed by a four-Test series with Australia, ahead of England's arrival.

The BCCI decided they could not fit in a three-Test series against England as well as seven one-day internationals and India were reluctant to cancel two one-dayers because of the popularity of the shorter format.

England wanted to play a third Test but were unwilling to extend their trip over Christmas.

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"We would have liked to have played a third Test this winter but appreciate that with the India v Australia series starting a week later than originally planned this was not feasible.

"The ECB were also determined that the tour should finish as scheduled under the future tours programme to give the England players the maximum rest period before they embark on the Test and ODI trip to the Caribbean.

"I am delighted that India will play four Test matches on their tour of England and Wales in 2011.

"The ECB have been strong and consistent in their insistence that Test cricket is still the predominant form of the game."

The Test matches in 2011 have been awarded to Lord's, Trent Bridge, Edgbaston and The Brit Oval.

Cardiff, Durham, the Rose Bowl, Lord's and the Brit Oval have been given the one-day internationals, while the Twenty20 venue is yet to be determined.

England's other winter tour takes place after Christmas in the Caribbean, where they are expected to play a four-Test series.