Cricket World Cup 2015 starts with a colorful opening ceremonies both Australia and New Zealand Read.

The 2015 cricket World Cup was declared open here Thursday after a two-hour extravaganza featuring 1,000 performers, including past and present New Zealand cricketers and some of the country's top musician.

The high-budget show was beamed live to 2.5 billion people across more than 220 countries and opened the sport's showpiece tournament in style.

There was a carnival atmosphere throughout the programme that began with four giant games of backyard cricket, played by 80 school children.

Huge crowds cheered the white-clad kids. The event also witnessed traditional Sri Lankan dancing, followed by a performances from Scottish bagpipers, and Bollywood and Irish dancers.

Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel said the city had been "waiting for a very long time" to return to the global stage.

It is one of the city's first major events since the devastating earthquake that struck three years ago and resulted in Christchurch losing its hosting rights for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Kiwi music stars Ginny Blackmore, band Sole Mio, Hayley Westenra, the New Zealand Army Band all wowed the crowd with their energetic performances.