Cricket World Cup: A 'unique and spectacular' show

Martin Guptill can fulfil more of an anchor role if Brendon McCullum returns to the opening role. If calamity strikes early, Kane Williamson can repair the innings. Photo / NZME.

Hosting the opening ceremony and the first match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 early next year will cement Christchurch's position as the sporting capital of New Zealand, Mayor Lianne Dalziel said today.

A billion global cricket fans will tune in to watch what is billed as one of the top five biggest sporting events in the world.

Christchurch's revamped Hagley Oval will host the opening match, New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, on February 14 -- Valentine's Day -- next year.

The game is already a sell-out and tournament organisers say enthusiasm for the four-yearly event is mounting.

Today, details emerged of the opening ceremony which will be held at North Hagley Park two days out from the opener.

Tens of thousands are expected to witness what is hyped as a "unique and spectacular" show.

The free, four-hour family-friendly event will feature appearances by Sol3 Mio, Ginny Blackmore, and Hayley Westenra, as well as cricketing legends Sir Richard Hadlee, Stephen Fleming and current Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum.

It will include a welcome, in partnership with Ngai Tahu, a visual display accompanied by a 100-strong youth choir -- which tells the story of the city's rebuild -- ceremonial speeches, and a massive fireworks display.

A special section, entitled 'Come and play in my backyard', based around a young child with dreams of cricketing stardom, will include live and video appearances by a number of New Zealand sporting and cultural stars.

Ms Dalziel said Christchurch has never hosted anything this big before, and it would cement the city's position as the sporting capital of New Zealand.

"Traditionally, we support big events in our city, but this will be even bigger," she said.

"Attending the opening of a sporting world cup is a once in a lifetime opportunity for our residents."

Prime Minister John Key said the event was an opportunity to showcase Canterbury, especially since the earthquakes denied the region a chance to host Rugby World Cup 2011 games.

He described Hagley Oval as arguably the most beautiful ground in New Zealand, if not the world, and said the tournament would show that a rebuilt Christchurch was now open for business.

The opening ceremony will be broadcast live on Sky Sport, as well as free-to-air on Prime.

Tournament co-hosts Australia will stage their opening event in Melbourne on the same evening.

Sky Sport will also have a dedicated World Cup channel where fans can watch all 49 games of the tournament live.

When New Zealand last co-hosted the Cricket World Cup with Australia in 1992, the event captured the public's imagination and remains an enduring memory for many Kiwi cricket fans.

New Zealand, captained by player of the tournament Martin Crowe, won its first seven games, only to be dramatically knocked out in the semi-finals by eventual winners Pakistan.