Cricket's biggest show opens with dazzling ceremony

Thousands of fans crammed at the venue to see launch of the first World Cup in New Zealand and Australia in 23 years.
Published February 12, 2015

Thousands of fans crammed at the venue to see the launch of the first World Cup in New Zealand and Australia in 23 years, the formal part of which began with a lone bagpiper and ended with a booming fireworks display.

A fan of Ireland's cricket team plays with a child during the ICC World Cup 2015 opening event at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on February 12, 2015. — Reuters
A fan of Ireland's cricket team plays with a child during the ICC World Cup 2015 opening event at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on February 12, 2015. — Reuters
A giant puppet of a batsman (C) waves a bat as it is controlled by stage hands during the opening ceremony ahead of the ICC World Cup 2015 at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on February 12, 2015. — AFP
A giant puppet of a batsman (C) waves a bat as it is controlled by stage hands during the opening ceremony ahead of the ICC World Cup 2015 at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on February 12, 2015. — AFP
Fireworks explode during the ICC World Cup 2015 opening event at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on February 12, 2015. — Reuters
Fireworks explode during the ICC World Cup 2015 opening event at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on February 12, 2015. — Reuters
Australia's captain Michael Clarke (under flag L) makes his way through the crowd, to be presented on stage during the ICC World Cup 2015 opening event, at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on February 12, 2015. — Reuters
Australia's captain Michael Clarke (under flag L) makes his way through the crowd, to be presented on stage during the ICC World Cup 2015 opening event, at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on February 12, 2015. — Reuters
England's captain Eoin Morgan makes his way through the crowd, to be presented on stage during the ICC World Cup 2015 opening event, at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on February 12, 2015. — Reuters
England's captain Eoin Morgan makes his way through the crowd, to be presented on stage during the ICC World Cup 2015 opening event, at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on February 12, 2015. — Reuters
India's captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (front R) makes his way through the crowd, to be presented on stage during the ICC World Cup 2015 opening event, at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on February 12, 2015. — Reuters
India's captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (front R) makes his way through the crowd, to be presented on stage during the ICC World Cup 2015 opening event, at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on February 12, 2015. — Reuters
Dance School of Distinction, representing England, perform during the ICC World Cup 2015 opening event at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on February 12, 2015. — Reuters
Dance School of Distinction, representing England, perform during the ICC World Cup 2015 opening event at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on February 12, 2015. — Reuters
Members of Dance School of Distinction representing England perform during the ICC World Cup 2015 opening event at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on February 12, 2015. — Reuters
Members of Dance School of Distinction representing England perform during the ICC World Cup 2015 opening event at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on February 12, 2015. — Reuters
India's captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (L) and Australia's captain Michael Clarke (R) watch the ICC World Cup 2015 opening event at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on February 12, 2015. — Reuters
India's captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (L) and Australia's captain Michael Clarke (R) watch the ICC World Cup 2015 opening event at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on February 12, 2015. — Reuters
Pakistan cricket team captain Misbah-ul-Haq (R) stands next to Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (L) during the opening ceremony ahead of the ICC World Cup 2015 at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on February 12, 2015. — AFP
Pakistan cricket team captain Misbah-ul-Haq (R) stands next to Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (L) during the opening ceremony ahead of the ICC World Cup 2015 at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on February 12, 2015. — AFP
Ten captains of the ICC members countries stand with their national flags during the opening ceremony ahead of the ICC World Cup 2015 at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on February 12, 2015. — AFP
Ten captains of the ICC members countries stand with their national flags during the opening ceremony ahead of the ICC World Cup 2015 at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on February 12, 2015. — AFP
Fireworks explode during the ICC World Cup 2015 opening event at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on February 12, 2015. — Reuters
Fireworks explode during the ICC World Cup 2015 opening event at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on February 12, 2015. — Reuters
A giant puppet cricketer during the ICC World Cup 2015 opening event at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on February 12, 2015. — Reuters
A giant puppet cricketer during the ICC World Cup 2015 opening event at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on February 12, 2015. — Reuters