KINGSTON, Jamaica,  CMC – Captain Chris Gayle belted an aggressive 94 on Friday but his side lost by two wickets to David Bernard’s XI in Jamaica’s second practice match for the 2009 WICB President’s Cup tournament starting later this month in Guyana.

Gayle’s XI compiled 224 for nine off 50 overs and Bernard’s side replied with 226 for eight off 42.1 overs at Kensington Park.

The left-handed Gayle struck his 94 off 90 balls with six fours and three sixes while Brendan Nash stroked 45 and National youth player Akeem Dewar got 27.

Bowling for Bernard’s XI, young pacer Jason Dawes claimed three for 58 and Daren Powell, two for 22.

Bernard’s side won with more than seven overs to spare when the in-form Xavier Marshall hit a top-score of 61 off 76 balls.

Marshall, who starred – scoring 58 and taking three wickets — in the first practice match last Tuesday, struck two fours and three sixes.

Powell, 28 not out and Odean Brown, 23 not out, completed the win while Jerome Taylor (21) and Carlton Baugh (20) also made useful contributions against pacer Andre Russell (4-59) and leg-spinner Dewar (3-46).

Jamaica, the regional four-day champions, will be going for the 2009 regional double in the October 28 to November 5 President’s Cup.

They will face defending champions Trinidad and Tobago, Windward Islands and Combined Campuses and Colleges in the group phase of the President’s Cup.