Christchurch, Feb 12 (IANS) The 2015 cricket World Cup was declared open here Thursday after a two-hour extravaganza featuring 1,000 performers, including past and present New Zealand cricketers and some of the country's top musicians.
The high-budget show was beamed live to 2.5 billion people across more than 220 countries and opened the sport's showpiece tournament in style.
There was a carnival atmosphere throughout the programme that began with four giant games of backyard cricket, played by 80 school children.
Huge crowds cheered the white-clad kids. The event also witnessed traditional Sri Lankan dancing, followed by a performances from Scottish bagpipers, and Bollywood and Irish dancers.
Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel said the city had been "waiting for a very long time" to return to the global stage.
It is one of the city's first major events since the devastating earthquake that struck three years ago and resulted in Christchurch losing its hosting rights for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Kiwi music stars Ginny Blackmore, band Sole Mio, Hayley Westenra, the New Zealand Army Band all wowed the crowd with their energetic performances.
The show also comprised cultural performances and guest appearances by New Zealand cricket legends Richard Hadlee, Stephen Fleming, and current captain Brendon McCullum.
Skipper McCullum got the loudest cheers when he went up to the stage.
The programme concluded with a massive fireworks display here.
Co-hosts New Zealand take on Sri Lanka at the Hagley Oval ground in the first match of the 14-nation tournament here Feb 14. Australia take on England on the same day in Melbourne.
A similar ceremony took place at Melbourne's Sidney Myer Music Bowl to declare the tournament open in Australia.
Cricket Australia (CA) chairman Wally Edwards unveiled the World Cup.
"Australia and New Zealand are keen on-field cricket rivals, but there has been a strong trans-Tasman spirit in their joint venture helping to organise this Cricket World Cup over the last 10 years," he said.
Matches will be played in 14 host cities across the two countries over the next six weeks.
World Cup: 'Kohli-Rohit or Samson cannot do work like Suryakumar', former spinner's big statement regarding World Cup
The inclusion of Suryakumar Yadav in the Indian team selected for the World Cup has surprised many cricket experts. Suryakumar has been given preference over Sanju Samson. Former Sunrisers Hyderabad
Inflation is also being affected by domestic development, know what is the opinion of economists
Retail inflation has been running at over 6 percent for the last four months and reached a record low of 7.8 percent in April, the last eight years. According to economic experts, along with the
Operation Sindhu: 'The loud sound of missiles was frightening', students who returned to India from troubled Iran narrated their ordeal
Indian students stranded in Iran amid Israel-Iran tensions returned to India on Thursday morning. A batch of 110 Indian students reached India under Operation Sindhu. All the students and their
Gujarat News: Kejriwal's election announcement, employment for every youth in Gujarat, 15 lakh jobs every year
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced that if the AAP government comes to Gujarat, it will give jobs to 15 lakh people every year. Not only this, but he also promised employment for every
America will sell the anti-tank system to Taiwan, because of China's growing threat, said necessary steps
Because of the growing military threat from China, the US State Department has approved the sale of anti-tank mine-laying systems to Taiwan. The department said on Wednesday that the Volcano system
Ustaad Bhagat Singh: First glimpse of 'Ustaad Bhagat Singh' surfaced, Pawan Kalyan seen in strong police swag
Telugu superstar Pawan Kalyan has given a big gift to his fans. Actually, the first glimpse of his much-awaited film Ustaad Bhagat Singh has come out. This film is directed by Harish Shankar. Fans
Dengue In Pakistan: After the floods in Pakistan, now the havoc of dengue, nine people died; Large number of cases in Sindh-Karachi
Dengue In Pakistan After the severe floods in Pakistan, there has been a tremendous increase in the number of dengue patients. The number of patients is so high that there is panic among the common
IPL 2024: 'It was a big decision', Yuvi gave a big statement on snatching the captaincy of MI from Rohit, also talked about Pandya
The 17th season of IPL 2024 is going to be special for Mumbai Indians. Hardik Pandya will return to the team but this time he will be seen in a new role. The team management had traded the star
Big blow to Putin: Russian diplomat resigns in UN, said - I am ashamed of my country's antics
Russia has suffered a tremendous setback on the International Diplomatic Front. Russia's diplomat at the UN not only publicly condemned the attack on Ukraine but also said that they are ashamed
Modi said- people will get cheaper and faster internet service from 2300 km network; 10 thousand crore rupees port proposed in Great Nicobar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a submarine optical fiber cable connecting Chennai and Port Blair on Monday. Modi said that through this network, people of Andaman and Nicobar will get cheap
