The 18th Commonwealth Games have opened in Melbourne, Australia with a spectacular ceremony at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The Games were declared officially open by the Queen, who received the Queen's Baton after its journey to all 71 nations of the Commonwealth.

More than 80,000 people were packed into the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) for the event, which saw a Melbourne tram "flying" into the arena.

However, a debate still rages in Australia over the value of the Games. Despite selling more tickets than any other Commonwealth Games, nearly 250,000 tickets are believed to be still available, fuelling criticism that public support is low.

Several big names, including home swimming stars Grant Hackett and Ian Thorpe, and defending 100m sprint champion Kim Collins have withdrawn due to injury.

The Commonwealth Games Council for England has intimated that it has also discovered apathy from potential sponsors of the team. It was recently revealed that the English squad could not even find a manufacturer to supply its kit for free, and has had to purchase it.

It has also been announced that English gymnastics medal hopeful Beth Tweddle will not compete, after suffering an ankle injury. Tweddle won a gold and two silver medals at the Manchester Games and was one of the team's leading medal contenders.

Photograph: Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games Corporation