Rain arrives right on time

 LONDON (AP) -- The timing was on cue. The opening of the seventh edition of the cricket World Cup and the rain in May coincided as expected today at Lord's.
 The opening match between host England and defending champion Sri Lanka was delayed by five minutes as showers of rain fell over Marylebone throughout the morning.
 Dozens of children dressed in the uniforms of the national teams scurried for cover as the rain became heavier, flags were folded and covers were dragged back over the pitch.
 But the showers cleared long enough for a smoky fireworks display to engulf the arena, the flags of each of the 12 competing countries to be unfurled and 10,000 balloons bearing the World Cup logo to be released into an overcast sky.
 In a brief ceremony, Prime Minster Tony Blair announced: "Let this tremendous carnival of cricket begin."
 Spectators accustomed to British summers came prepared -- armed with umbrellas and wet-weather gear -- and braced themselves for a stop-start day.