MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA; ICC Cricket World Cup fans flocked to Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl this evening as Tina Arena, Jessica Mauboy, Daryl Braithwaite, Nathaniel and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra with Musical Director Chong Lim officially opened the tournament.

The opening event included a spectacular fireworks display and multicultural performances reflecting the diversity and excitement of the 14 competing nations.

This is the first time the ICC Cricket World Cup has returned to Australia and New Zealand since 1992 and more than a million people are expected to attend matches with more than a billion expected to tune in around the globe.

Ten World Cup squads were represented in Melbourne tonight including full teams from Afghanistan, Australia, England and the UAE along with Captains from Bangladesh, India, Ireland, Pakistan, Scotland and West Indies.
Tournament co-hosts New Zealand also staged an Opening Event on the same evening in Christchurch.

Both events in Melbourne and Christchurch formed part of a broadcast package televised around the world by Star Sports and its licensees. In Australia the event was broadcast by Fox Sports and the Nine Network.