Christchurch, Melbourne see grand opening

The opening ceremony for the ICC World Cup 2015 was held at Christchurch and Melbourne today, reports New Zealand Herald.

Both the cities were draped and decorated in festive colours as the biggest show for cricket began with a spectacular show of fireworks and colourful flags.

A two-hour extravaganza at Christchurch featured 1000 performers, including past and present Black Caps stars, All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, and some of New Zealand's top musical acts, concluded with a massive fireworks display.

The Melbourne celebration at Sydney Myer Music Bowl involved World Cup players and legends, cultural and music performances, and a spectacular fireworks display.

The high-budget, free show, which organisers the International Cricket Council (ICC) claimed was broadcast live to 2.5 billion people across more than 220 countries, and airing in the early afternoon in the cricket superpower of India, opened the sport's showpiece tournament in style.

Huge crowds cheered on the white-clad kids on the parched North Hagley grass, with international food and music from all 14 nations competing at the tournament.

Kiwi music stars Ginny Blackmore, Sol3 Mio, Hayley Westenra, the New Zealand Army Band and Shapeshifter wowed the dancing crowds in between cultural performances, including hakas, and guest appearances by cricketing legends such as Sir Richard Hadlee, Stephen Fleming, and current Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum.

A highlight was a segment featuring a young boy on stage dreaming of becoming a great cricketer and recruiting some sporting and cultural legends, including Sir Peter Jackson, McCaw, Sri Lankan bowler Lasith Malinga, Black Caps seamer Tim Southee, Silver Fern Maria Tutaia, and fashion designer Trelise Cooper.