Cornish eco-activists were among those who blocked the England cricket team’s coach on the way to a match this morning.

Just after 8.30am four demonstrators walked in front of traffic near Hyde Park, central London, stopping the England players reaching Lords where they were due to play a Test against Ireland.

The protesters seemed unaware they were stopping the England team bus, until wicket keeper, Jonny Bairstow, posted a picture on Instagram showing demonstrators and police in front of their coach.

The England and Yorkshire batsman added in a caption: "If we're a bit late it's not our fault."

In response, the protest group posted a video of the disruption on Twitter and joked climate change was "our biggest test".

A spokesman wrote: "Just Stop Oil supporters march In Kensington and Battersea. And apparently that's the England cricket team bus.

"They might know a bit about a batting collapse, but the climate crisis is no one-day international - it's our biggest test."

The bus was only delayed for around 15 minutes and the team arrived at Lords in time for the one-off test against Ireland. 

Police arrived at the scene within minutes and put a Public Order Act notice on the marchers, ending the demo at around 8.45am. 

A Just Stop Oil spokesman made another cricket reference, adding: "No-one is safe from climate collapse, it will destroy everything we care about. 

"All we will have left is ashes. Oil and gas has had a good innings, but it’s time to declare – Just Stop Oil."

Around half-an-hour earlier some 50 Just Stop Oil demonstrators in groups of five, began blocking traffic by slowly marching on roads around Hyde Park and Battersea Park. 

All the different groups were off the road by 10am, but more marches are expected later this morning. 

Phil Green, 22, a student from Cornwall who took part in this morning's protest, said: "In my lifetime, the UK government has never stood up for the people - not once. 

"As a young person, I have no faith in those in power to make the change we need to keep us safe. We need big changes and that now has to come from us, the people. 

"I don't want to live in a world where floods, wildfires, and crop failures are a common occurrence. 

"We're not asking for much, just a world where we can feed our families and thrive in our communities. 

"Stopping new fossil fuel licences is an absolute no-brainer to ensure energy security, lower bills and cut emissions. 

"I want to call on young people everywhere to step up and join a march, every Saturday at midday in Parliament Square."

It is the latest protest by the campaigners, striking at high profile sporting and cultural events.

At the weekend demonstrators invaded the pitch at the Premiership rugby final between Saracens and Sale at Twickenham, south west London.

A demonstrator also jumped on a table and threw orange paint in the air at the Crucible during the World Snooker Championships in Sheffield last month.

And last week three women spread orange powder paint over a display garden at Chelsea Flower Show.

The activists are demanding the British government halt all licences and consents for new oil, gas and coal projects. 

Alice Tulissio, 21, a student from Falmouth and another protester this morning, said: "I understand it’s frustrating to those on the road who are disrupted by marches, but it has gotten to the point where this is the only way the government will listen to us. 

"Writing letters and non-disruptive protests do not work and we do not have time to sit around and do nothing. 

"Throughout history we have seen that disruptive protest is how change is won."