Video: England cricketers send good luck messages to the British and Irish Lions - but Cesc Fabregas thinks they're a boyband

Alistair Cook and Co wish the squad good luck in a light-hearted video as they prepare for the Champions Trophy final and their own series with the Australians

The England cricket team have taken time out of their Champions Trophy final preparations to send the British and Irish Lions their messages of good luck ahead of Saturday’s first Test.

Captain Alistair Cook, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Jonathan Trott and Eoin Morgan all appear on the video, but their accents seem to waver from time-to-time in the light-hearted clip.

As part of the build-up to this summer’s Ashes series, the England and Wales Cricket Board released the video on their official YouTube channel to wish the Lions all the best for their imminent series with the Aussies.

Swann, who is known to a enjoy a laugh or two, alternates between English, New Zealand and Welsh accents as he addresses the differing nations in the Lions squad and coaching staff.

Irishman Morgan gave his message of support to Paul O’Connell, Jamie Heaslip, Jonathan Sexton and Brian O’Driscoll as he tells the Irish contingent to “play hard on the field as you know you’re going to party hard off the field”.

And England's leading One-Day International wicket taker James Anderson tries his best to pull-off a Scottish accent, but we don’t have a clue what he’s trying to say!

Watch the video here...

Elsewhere, Cesc Fabregas has had his say on the Lions, but he may need someone to help him out if he has any intention of following the squad Down Under.

When asked in an off-the-wall interview with Spanish newspaper El Pais who the British and Irish Lions were, he replied: “ A pop band from Belfast”.

He’s not far off the mark though, as current Lion Simon Zebo demonstrated his rapping skills along with Irish teammate Paddy Jackson in their rendition of ‘Otis’ by Jay-Z and Kanye West.

Just don't label the Cork-native Zebo from Belfast!