Melbourne to host Australia's opening ceremony for the 2015 World Cup
Melbourne, Dec 19 - Melbourne was named as the host of the Australian opening ceremony for the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup 2015 on Friday.
Two opening ceremonies for cricket's marquee event will be held on February 12, with co-hosts New Zealand set to stage their opener on the same evening in Christchurch.
The Melbourne celebration at Sidney Myer Music Bowl will involve World Cup players and legends, cultural and music performances, a spectacular fireworks display and a yet-to-be-revealed "special moment".
The Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, John Eren, said Melbourne would now be the scene of the opening event, the first match on Australian soil when Australia play England on February 14, and the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on March 29.
"We are delighted that Melburnians and visitors from all over the world will have a chance to attend this once-in-a-generation event at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl," Eren was quoted as saying by Cricket Australia (CA) website.
John Harnden, World Cup 2015 chief executive, said the event would get the tournament off to a "great start".
The opening ceremony will be free to attend, and tickets will be available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.
Each applicant can request up to four tickets, and further details of the ceremony will be revealed closer to the event.
Christchurch's opening event will feature some of New Zealand's best-known performers, cricket legends including Richard Hadlee and Stephen Fleming and a special segment to recognise the rebuilding of the city following the disastrous earthquakes.