{
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    "title": "Colourful opening ceremony kicks off cricket World Cup",
    "lang": "en",
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    "cup_year": "2015",
    "article_type": "General",
    "excerpt": "The 2015 cricket World Cup was declared open here Thursday after a two-hour extravaganza",
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    "editor1": "<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">Christchurch, Feb 12 (IANS) 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&#39;s top musicians.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">The high-budget show was beamed live to 2.5 billion people across more than 220 countries and opened the sport&#39;s showpiece tournament in style.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">There was a carnival atmosphere throughout the programme that began with four giant games of backyard cricket, played by 80 school children.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">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.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel said the city had been &quot;waiting for a very long time&quot; to return to the global stage.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">It is one of the city&#39;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.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">Kiwi music stars Ginny Blackmore, band Sole Mio, Hayley Westenra, the New Zealand Army Band all wowed the crowd with their energetic performances.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">The show also comprised cultural performances and guest appearances by New Zealand cricket legends Richard Hadlee, Stephen Fleming, and current captain Brendon McCullum.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">Skipper McCullum got the loudest cheers when he went up to the stage.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">The programme concluded with a massive fireworks display here.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">Co-hosts New Zealand take on Sri Lanka at the Hagley Oval ground in the first match of the 14-nation tournament here Feb 14. Australia take on England on the same day in Melbourne.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">A similar ceremony took place at Melbourne&#39;s Sidney Myer Music Bowl to declare the tournament open in Australia.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">Cricket Australia (CA) chairman Wally Edwards unveiled the World Cup.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">&quot;Australia and New Zealand are keen on-field cricket rivals, but there has been a strong trans-Tasman spirit in their joint venture helping to organise this Cricket World Cup over the last 10 years,&quot; he said.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">Matches will be played in 14 host cities across the two countries over the next six weeks.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n",
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