The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 opened today with a vibrant opening ceremony at Christchurch, New Zealand. Thousands of fans filled the leafy Hagley Park to witness the launch of the first World Cup in New Zealand and Australia in 23 years. The formal part began with a lone bagpiper and ended with a booming fireworks display, which some say was the biggest in the city's history.Around 80 children were joined by famous players in games of backyard cricket played on four giant ovals, divided into 14 individual grounds representing the 14 nations taking part in the tournament. Each of the four areas was overlooked by a stage on which more than 1,000 participants, including cultural performers from India and Sri Lanka, West Indian steel bands, Scottish and Irish dancers and indigenous Maori haka groups, enthralled the crowds. Captains of all the teams were also presented.The World Cup is the largest event Christchurch has hosted since an earthquake in February 2011 which devastated the city's centre claiming 185 lives. Declaring the World Cup open, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said the earthquake robbed Christchurch of the chance of hosting the Rugby World Cup and it was only fitting that it should be chosen to host the opening of the Cricket World Cup. He said, the opening ceremony was a way of telling the world that Christchurch is back in business.ICC Chief Executive David Richardson unveiled the Cricket World Cup trophy, saying it was a symbol of the ICC's values of excellence, integrity and inclusion.The opening game of the World Cup will be held on Saturday, with New Zealand taking on Sri Lanka at Christchurch. In the other Pool-A fixture of the day, Australia will clash with England at Melbourne.Team India, which is in Pool-B, will play its group opener against Pakistan on Sunday.