Date-stamped : 08 Sep94 - 10:32 RAIN THREATENS FOUR-NATION SERIES Sri Lanka`s biggest cricketing extravaganza, a four-nation limited-over tournament featuring Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India and Australia, is threatened by bad weather. Overcast skies and con- tinuous rain have prevented any of the four teams assembled for Sunday`s grand opening from putting bat to ball. The tournament runs until September 17. Mostly effected are Australia and India arriving at the end of their seasons. India play Sri Lanka under lights in Sunday`s opening game. Australia`s first encounter is against Pakistan on Wednesday. India`s lack of recent match practice could prove a blessing for the battered Sri Lankan team who have been steam-rollered by Pakistan in their recent series. The islanders lost the two tests convincingly and also the one- day series 4-1. Arjuna Ranatunga is under pressure to quit as captain after leading his country to five succcesive test de- feats, all in under four days against India and Pakistan. World Cup winners Pakistan start the tournament as firm favourites with the benefit of eight weeks acclimatisation to Sri Lankan condi- tions. Pakistan manager and coach Intikhab Alam said: ``It is always very difficult for us to maintain the winning streak. With four very strong cricketing nations playing, the matches are go- ing to be very competitive.`` The winning side earns $15,000 and the runner-up $7,500. Thanks Reuter, India News Digest. Contributed by atul (ATUL@warthog.tcs.com)