Australia and New Zealand welcome the
ICC cricket World Cup after a gap of 23 years. It has been a long wait but Melbourne and Christchurch are finally ready to greet fans and cricketers - present and former - with open arms for the showpiece event. The last time the showpiece 50-over tournament came calling on Australian shores, it was a remarkably different world. White cricket balls and coloured jerseys were introduced for the first time, Sachin Tendulkar vs Shane Warne duels were unheard of, South Africa were coming out of exile and . In 23 years since, a lot has changed but the sheer passion for the sport here has remained intact - a fact Melbourne and Christchurch will highlight in Thursday's opening ceremony. (Fixtures | Teams | Players | Venues | History)
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The main event will begin from 1330hrs IST but festivities have already begun with local performances. Get the latest here:
* At the Melbourne Cricket Ground - not too far from the venue for the opening ceremony, the English team is out in full strength for their training session. In the midst of the sweat and toil, a few players were also seen cracking jokes making for quite a jovial mood here.
* Breaking: Major news from the warmup matches today - Ireland stun Bangladesh by four wickets. West Indies barely beat Scotland - by three wickets.
* The World Cup trophy has had quite a journey in the last one year or thereabouts. From flying high in a hot air balloon, skydiving and meeting Rolling Stones to shark diving and traveling around the world, the trophy has had a gala time being the most sought-after thing in international cricket.
* While festivities and celebrations are all fine, the battles will begin from Saturday (February 14). Australians enter the tournament as the top-ranked team but they had been the best in the 2011 edition as well before India overtook the side in the ICC rankings after winning in Mumbai. (Read more here)
* Did you know? A devastating earthquake had struck Christchurch in 2011. The opening ceremony here today would also raise a toast to the Kiwi spirit and how the city rebuilt itself again.
* Reports from Down Under suggest fans in both cities started coming in as early as 1400hrs (local, 0330hrs IST) for the ceremony. The events are free for the public.
* Breaking: Australia captain has been ruled out of the team's first ODI against England. (Read more)
* Did you know? The 1992 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand had a number of firsts. It was the first time coloured jerseys were used in the history of the tournament. It was also for the first time that white balls and the black sight screens were used to assist batsmen. This was the first time that the World Cup was taking place in the southern hemisphere and was the first time that Pakistan won the tournament. Unfortunately for Pakistan fans, the team has failed every time since and has also not been able to defeat India in the event. (Also read: India favourites against Pakistan once again, say Gavaskar and Laxman)
* Melbourne: It's a pleasant Thursday evening here with the mercury around 21C. There is a gentle breeze above and a boisterous energy on the ground.
* Christchurch: Kiwi fans can expect legends like Sir Richard Hadlee, Stephen Fleming and Brendon McCullum here.
* Christchurch: Many fans have already started marking their spots at the North Hagley Park to watch the ceremony as closely as possible. According to New Zealand Herald, many hundreds came earlier than officials expected but no one is really complaining. Deck chairs, blankets, coolers - you name it, they have it!
* It is beginning to heat up in both Melbourne and Christchurch. There is a palpable sense of excitement here, and why not? Locals feel cricket is in the air and can almost whiff the brilliant aroma of cricket greatness around them.
One is a city of over four million while the other houses close to 400,000. Melbourne and Christchurch may be different in terms of demographics but the two cities are premier centers of culture and cricket in their respective countries and are determined to showcase the two. Indeed a night of revelry and party can be expected before the 14 teams, 210 players and billions of fans battle for the biggest prize in cricket.
What to expect in Melbourne?
From the razzmatazz of music and brilliance of fireworks to David Warner boxing a kangaroo - a symbol of Australia's symbol of sporting culture, Melbourne is ready and how. As a city, it has hosted spectacular ceremonies for international sporting events in the past. The city of over four million was the first in the southern hemisphere to host the Olympics - in 1956. More recently, it hosted the 2006 Commonwealth Games and welcomes tennis and F1 superstars each year as well.
As such, many feel the red carpet for sportspersons is never really rolled back here. On Tuesday, it would be the turn of cricketers - both present and former - to walk under the spotlight. Adding to the festivities would be local artists -- pop star Jessica Hilda Mauboy, singers Tina Arena, Nathaniel and Daryl Braithwaite as well as the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra - at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
What to expect in Christchurch?
Nearly 2400 kilometers away, the Kiwis are planning an equally spectacular show. Weathermen have predicted dismal weather but expect no gloom on the ground.
The event here will begin from 1830 hrs (local time, 11 AM IST) with roving entertainers and Kiwi cricket legends welcoming the world here. The main event - which begins from 2100 hrs local time- will put New Zealand's culture and love for cricket to the fore. (Also read: Security scare ahead of tournament)
The city also promises a dazzling display of fireworks - one that locals would not have witnessed here before. While alcohol is not permitted here, according to New Zealand's tourism website - an exciting party towards the end will end the grand event.
Ready, steady, go!
The opening ceremony for the previous edition of the World Cup - in Dhaka - was the most expensive in cricket's history at close to US $30 million. Australia and New Zealand are sparing no expense to topple that figure and leave the world spellbound. "The ICC Cricket World Cup is returning to Australia for the first time in 23 years and Melbourne is truly honoured to host the opening event," Victoria's minister for tourism and major events, John Eren, said.
While Melbourne Cricket Ground will host both the opening ceremony as well as the final on March 29, the other contests would be spread over 14 venues - seven each in Australia and New Zealand.
It is going to be a month and a half of hits, misses, emotions and celebrations. And before handing over the baton to England for the 2019 World Cup, Australia and New Zealand would look to set the bar higher than ever before.
As such, many feel the red carpet for sportspersons is never really rolled back here. On Tuesday, it would be the turn of cricketers – both present and former - to walk under the spotlight. Adding to the festivities would be local artists -- pop star Jessica Hilda Mauboy, singers Tina Arena, Nathaniel and Daryl Braithwaite as well as the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra – at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.
