SHANE Warne is preparing to cross paths with his old adversary Arjuna Ranatunga in Colombo.

Warne spent yesterday in Galle, the ground where he captured his 500th Test wicket, which was destroyed by the Boxing Day tsunami.

And Ranatunga, now Sri Lanka's deputy tourism minister, believes his visit will provide a big boost to all Sri Lankans.

He said: "I haven't had the greatest respect for Shane over the years, but this is a significant contribution by one of the biggest names in the game.

"We've had our differences but, at a time like this, I'm sure we will be able to make things good." Warne said: "Seeing the devastation is quite eerie.

"The loss of lives and the loss of everything is heart-breaking to see."

Former Hampshire all rounder Shane Watson has been ruled out of Australia's forthcoming one-day tour of New Zealand with a serious muscle strain.

Watson, who starred for Hampshire last summer with a ton on his Championship debut against Somerset and with some ferocious batting in the Twenty20 Cup, had only returned to the Aussie one-day side this winter after a long-standing back injury.