The Young Chronicle: For 4th Graders February 14th, 2015 | Page 4

YOUNG CHRONICLE The World Cup Opening Ceremony Christchurch is New Zealand’s most populous city in the Southern Island of New Zealand. Christchurch experienced a series of major earthquakes between the years 2010 to 2012 that left the city devastated. The World Cup Opening Ceremony on Thursday was the largest event hosted by Christchurch ever since. Children mingled with cricketing geniuses in "backyard'' matches and Maori warriors shared the stage with Morris dancers during the vibrant and quirky ceremony at Hagley Park. The venue was buzzing with people and excitement, as 3 this had been the first World Cup Launch in New Zealand and Australia in 23 years! Rambo and Pranks had heard of Body Line, a fast leg bowling technique devised by the English to combat the extraordinary batting style of Ace Australian batsman, Don Bradman, during the Ashes. They knew how important and integral cricket was, in the lives of the Aussis and Kiwis. Which is why, a lapse of 23 years felt too long. A world cup opening ceremony was much needed in Christchurch, especially after the earthquakes. The formal part of the ceremony began with a lone bagpiper and ended with a magnanimous display of fireworks. What made the event more meaningful was the fact that it was just few hundred meters away from the city’s center, which had gotten devastated in the quakes. In fact, Hagley Oval, which hosted the opening match, had to be extensively redeveloped after the earthquake. Mayor Leanne Dalziell said Christchurch was preparing to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup when the earthquake struck, toppling hotels and wrecking venues, forcing matches to be allocated to other centers. With the Cricket World Cup, She told the fans on Thursday "we're back!'' International Cricket Council 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. Thursday's ceremony, which set the stage for the 20th Cricket World Cup, celebrating the love of cricket and the cultures of the competing nations, equally celebrated Christchurch's resilience as it literally lifted itself from ruins to host the opening and opening match of cricket's four-yearly festival.