His outstanding talent as an opening batsman was recognised early in his career, at DS Senanayake College, when he scored 700 runs in 12 matches in 2000 to make the Sri Lanka team for the Under-15 World Cup in England and the Asia Cup in Malaysia. The following year he made it to the Sri Lanka U-17 side to Bangladesh for the Asia Cup and in 2002 went to New Zealand for the U-19 World Cup. He made his club debut for Kurunegala Youth CC in the U-23 tournament before changing over to NCC in 2004. He has been a heavy scorer in domestic cricket since then with 160 against Tamil Union and 193 against CCC during the 2005-06 season which saw him gain promotion to the Sri Lanka A side for the home series against Bangladesh in 2007. Gunawardene enjoys the role of opener and relishes taking on the fast bowlers and has modelled his batting around Kumar Sangakkara.

Sa'adi Thawfeeq August 2007