JOHANNESBURG, Jan 23: England will launch a bid for Test revenge over South Africa next December at SuperSport Park in Centurion.

The showdown heralds the start of a four-Test series that continues until mid-January and takes the visitors to Kingsmead in Durban, Newlands in Cape Town and the Wanderers in Johannesburg.

Graham Smith-inspired South Africa edged hosts England 2-1 in another four-Test series last year before coming unstuck in an ODI series they lost 4-0 with one fixture washed out.

The appeal of the next series will be heightened by a fierce rivalry between prolific run-getter Smith, who recently led his country to a 2-1 series triumph in Australia, and South Africa-born England batting star Kevin Pietersen.

While Smith was hailed as a hero after back-to-back victories in Perth and Melbourne, Pietersen lost the England captaincy following a power struggle with coach Peter Moores.

Pietersen wanted Moores removed and the outcome was both lost out although the Durban-reared batsman has pledged his loyalty to new captain Andrew Strauss and both are touring the West Indies.

“England have always been very difficult opponents to beat and we are expecting some very tight contests in all formats,” South Africa coach Mickey Arthur told national news agency SAPA.

“We will be determined to retain the prestigious Basil D’Oliveira Trophy which we captured for the first time in England last year.” Cricket South Africa chief executive Gerald Majola said: “This is going to be another iconic tour which will delight local and international audiences and further boost the game here.

Schedule:

Nov 10: v South Africa ‘A’ 20-over match (Bloemfontein).

Nov 13: First Twenty20 International (Johannesburg).

Nov 15: Second Twenty 20 International (Centurion).Nov 17: v South Africa ‘A’ 50-over match (Potchefstroom).

Nov 20: First One-day International (Johannesburg).

Nov 22: Second One-day International (Centurion).Nov 27: Third One-day International (Cape Town).Nov 29: Fourth One-day International (Port Elizabeth).

Dec 4: Fifth One-day International (Durban).

Dec 9-10: v South Africa XI (East London).

Dec 11-12: v South Africa XI (East London).

Dec 16-20: First Test (Centurion).

Dec 26-30: Second Test (Durban).

Jan 3-7: Third Test (Cape Town).

Jan 14-18: Fourth Test (Johannesburg).—AFP