Underwhelming World Cup opening ceremony draws to a close in Australia and New Zealand

The opening ceremonies in both Australia and New Zealand have come to a close. Not the most impressive display, nor did it look as if wholehearted effort was put into making the ceremony a spectacle.

16:18 IST Thursday, 12 February 2015

A series of singing performances followed the orchestra. To be frank, most were nothing out of the orfinary. However, here's some good pictures from the ceremony:

 

 

15:43 IST Thursday, 12 February 2015

After a strange display of a large robot wielding a bat, the Melbourne Orchestra will play. The commentators recap the World Cup winners from down memory lane, and the losing finalists.

WOW. That was definitely a special moment. #cwc15 pic.twitter.com/QcAy7uhmff — Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) February 12, 2015

Following the speeches, the children file out dutifully and the elders follow with the flags. The celebrations continue with more performances.

15:29 IST Thursday, 12 February 2015

Premier of the Australian state of Victoria is now making a speech. The children settle in a single horizontal file near the podium, with space in the passageway between.

Ten captains and the CUP #cwc15 pic.twitter.com/hJNnjWhziR — Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) February 12, 2015

The Premier asks us to put our hands together for all the volunteers who made the opening ceremony possible. He also thanks everybody for making the World Cup a reality.

The Premier officially welcomes us to Melbourne, the venue of the first match between England and Australia.

Now every participating team's flag is being brought out. In most cases, children carry the flag. 

A huge crowd has gathered in Melbourne for the opening ceremony.

Check out that crowd! Hello Melbourne! #cwc15 pic.twitter.com/vATJ5oU6Y0 — Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) February 12, 2015

MS Dhoni with the Pakistani captain Misbah ul-Haq at the Melbourne event. The two teams clash in Adelaide on Sunday. 

'Captains Together' Misbah Ul-Haq & MS Dhoni unite as they arrive at the #cwc15 opening ceremony in Melbourne pic.twitter.com/egQV3587nf — ICC (@ICC) February 12, 2015

The opening ceremony of the 2015 World Cup is underway in Christchurch, New Zealand. Subsequently, another ceremony is on in Melbourne, Australia. The ceremonies, which began at 2 pm IST is expected to last until late evening. 

Here are the teams assembled for the ceremony:

Here are the teams enjoying the #cwc15 Opening Event @CricketAus @ECB_cricket @EmiratesCricket @ACBofficials pic.twitter.com/1bGTGfNNLN — Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) February 12, 2015

Richard Hadlee, Stephen Fleming and Brendon McCullum are all attending the opening ceremony in Christchurch. In Melbourne, Jessica Hilda Mauboy an Australian R&B and pop singer, Tina Arena, an Australian singer-songwriter, Nathaniel and Daryl Braithwaite, along with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra with musical director, Chong Lim serenade the crowd with their musical performances.