Although the first test against India does not start until Friday in Dunedin, New Zealand Cricket has rejected an appeal from Canterbury to have the five players available.
National coach Steve Rixon wants the team to assemble on Saturday before travelling to Dunedin on Sunday for the first of five practice days, including a two-day match, before the five-day test.
``Canterbury has copped the short end of the straw again with New Zealand Cricket. We haven't won many battles against them in my time,''said McKechnie yesterday.
McKechnie felt it was not unreasonable for Canterbury's Black Caps to play for their province on Sunday afternoon against Central Districts and fly to Dunedin that night.
``For the sake of one practice I can't understand their attitude. They want Cricket Max to have a high profile, but won't allow the best players to take part.''
McKechnie said the decision would be a ``smack in the eye'' for promoter Sky Television which is providing substantial prizemoney for the event and seeking the best possible players to attract viewers.
``How much practice do New Zealand want? They will be knackered by the time the game starts. How much time does Rixon need with them beforehand?''
In the first semi-final tonight between Auckland and Wellington, Auckland has national team all-rounder Dion Nash available before the Black Caps gather in Christchurch for outfitting and other housekeeping matters tomorrow.
NZC operations manager John Reid said the Black Caps management had requested a longer lead-in time to the test match series at a debrief and this had been approved. ``It's a matter of priorities. We want the test team to be as well prepared as possible.''
Reid said he could understand Canterbury's concerns and argument, but a decision had been made and would not be changed.
``We want Max to have a high profile and be successful, but in this case we have decided The Management request should be supported.''
McKechnie said while he understood others were aware of an earlier team assembly, Canterbury's selectors only learnt earlier this week that the players, including Chris Cairns, Stephen Fleming, Nathan Astle, and Craig McMillan would be out.
``If we had known this beforehand we might have thrown one or two of our games, so we came second or third and played on the Friday night, `` said McKechnie. Canterbury was the top qualifier.
Ironically, Canterbury, as top qualifier, was scheduled to have its match against fourth-placed Central Districts on Friday night, but a change was forced when Wellington finished second. Wellington could not play on Sunday because it is involved in a first-class match against India.
``We have taken the game more seriously this season and planned accordingly and this is what happens,'' said McKechnie.
Canterbury always knew it would be without its top players if it qualified for the December 18 final. That date clashes with the opening day of the test.
McKechnie said the difference between playing for first and second and being a losing semi-finalist was substantial.
The winner receives $25,000 and the runner-up $12,500 while third gets $7,500, and fourth $5,000.
``If they had to assemble earlier, why couldn't they have played a double-header on the Friday or the other semi on the Saturday?,'' queried McKechnie.
McKechnie said despite the decision he still felt Canterbury had the team to be successful against Central Districts.