World Cup opens with carnival

Cricket's ninth World Cup was officially opened on Sunday night by a spectacular Caribbean ceremony showcasing the best of West Indies' musical talent.

The colourful carnival-type extravaganza at the newly-built Trelawny Stadium officially opened the tournament, which begins with the opening game between West Indies and Pakistan at Sabina Park, Kingston, on Tuesday.

The event included a host of musical names with their roots based in the Caribbean, including reggae legend Jimmy Cliff, Shaggy, Third World and Sly and Robbie.

The show, titled 'West Indian Energy' also featured local stars, including Trinidad's Machel Montano, Jamaica's Sean Paul, Alison Hinds - known as the first lady of soca - from Barbados and St Vincent's Kevin Lyttle.

All nine of the host venues during the tournament were represented during the event, while most of the nations competing also contributed to the showcase, including three girls performing an Irish jig.

In all, more than 2,000 singers, dancers and performers were involved in the production, which culminated in a welcome to the World Cup from the legendary Sri Garfield Sobers.

In all, 16 teams will play a total of 51 matches at grounds spread around nine different Caribbean nations, with the final in Barbados on 28 April.