Cricket World Cup: Musical performers for opening ceremony

Hayley Westenra at a rehearsal for her Cricket World Cup 2015 opening performance. Photo / Herald on Sunday / Michael Craig

The opening ceremony for the Cricket World Cup will be packed with musical, theatrical and cultural performances from some of New Zealand's best-known cricketers and entertainers.

Shapeshifter has today been announced as part of the musical section of the opening ceremony on Thursday, joining Sol3 Mio, Hayley Westenra and Ginny Blackmore.

Former cricket captain Stephen Fleming will take part in the theatrical element of the show.

He will be taking the stage with some familiar faces to tell the story of a young cricketer who dreams of making it big.

Since seeing the stage set up in North Hagley Park the nerves had kicked in for Fleming, he said.

"It's looking pretty impressive," he said.

"Now I've just got make sure I get my lines right."

The event would finish with the biggest fireworks display to ever be held in Christchurch.

The show on Thursday night will be followed two days later by the first game New Zealand v Sri Lanka on Saturday at nearby Hagley Oval.

The free event will begin at 6.30pm with a giant game of backyard cricket, and the main event will then run from 8.30pm to 10pm.