2015 ICC Cricket World Cup Opening Ceremony in Christchurch,New Zealand Thursday Feb 12,2015

Fans throng outside the Hagley Park in Christchurch, New Zealand for the opening ceremony

 

Flagbearers during the Opening Ceremony ahead of the ICC 2015 Cricket World Cup at Hagley Park in Christchurch, New Zealand.  

 

Prime Minister John Key (2nd L) poses with Blackcaps players Adam Milne, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi, Tom Latham, Tim Southee and Trent Boult during the Opening Ceremony.  

 

Prime Minister John Key (R) welcomes NZ Blackcaps captain Brendon McCullum during the Opening Ceremony.  

 

New Zealand prime minister John Key said the earthquake robbed Christchurch of the chance of hosting the Rugby World Cup and it was "only fitting" that it should be chosen to host the opening of the Cricket World Cup. He said the opening ceremony was a way of telling the world that Christchurch is "back in business."
International Cricket Council chief executive David Richardson unveiled the Cricket World Cup trophy, saying it was a symbol of the ICC's values of excellence, integrity and inclusion.
Hagley Oval, which will host Saturday's opening match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka, has hosted first class cricket matches since 1867 but was extensively redeveloped since to become the city's international cricket venue after the earthquake wrecked Lancaster Park.
Thursday's ceremony, which set the stage for the Cricket World Cup, celebrating the love of cricket and the cultures of the competing nations, equally celebrated Christchurch's resilience as it literally lifted itself from ruins to host the opening and opening match of cricket's four-yearly festival.