MUMBAI: Melbourne is to host the Australian opening event for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 on 12 February, next year.

Tournament co-hosts New Zealand will stage its opening event on the same evening in Christchurch.

The Melbourne celebration will involve World Cup players and legends, cultural and music performances, a spectacular fireworks display and a yet to be revealed “special moment”.  It will reflect the diversity and excitement of the 14 competing nations and include some icons in Australian entertainment.

The opening events in both Melbourne and Christchurch will form part of a broadcast package to be televised around the world by Star Sports and its licensees. In Australia it will broadcast by FoxSports and the Nine Network.

Victorian Minister for major events, tourism and sport, John Eren said the privilege of hosting the opening event meant that Melbourne would be the scene for the start of the tournament in Australia and its end, with the final to be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 29 March.

“We are delighted that Melburnians and visitors from all over the world will have a chance to attend this once in a generation event at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl,” Minister Eren said.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 chief executive John Harnden said, “Melbourne will welcome the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 to Australia for the first time in 23 years with this opening event. The Victorian government along with Victorian Major Events Company is giving us great support to put on this show for the tournament in Australia and I’m sure it will get us off to a great start.”

The opening event is produced by George P Johnson with artistic director, Michael Reid whose past credits include the opening ceremony of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Opening Event in Australia is a free event, which will be ticketed.

Tickets will be available to the public on a first come, first served basis.

 
The event in Christchurch will feature some of New Zealand’s best known performers, cricket legends including Sir Richard Hadlee and Stephen Fleming and a special segment to recognise the rebuilding of the city following the disastrous earthquakes.

Fast Facts:
•         ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 will be hosted by Australia and New Zealand
•         14 teams: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, West Indies and Zimbabwe
•         14 host cities: Adelaide, Auckland, Brisbane, Canberra, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Hobart, Napier, Nelson, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Wellington
•         42 pool matches – three in each host city
•         Every visiting team plays in both countries
•         Children’s tickets available for every match
•         Children’s tickets $5 for every pool match
•         Children’s ticket for quarterfinals are $20, semifinals are $30, and final are $60
•         Adults tickets from $20
•         Two-thirds of total tickets $50 or less
•         Travel Packages are on sale, go to www.icctravel.net
•         Buy tickets and hospitality at www.cricketworldcup.com