Shorter event wins admirers

Centurion: One-day cricket is not in danger of fading into oblivion as of yet. The Champions Trophy has proved that the 50-over format can still hold its own.

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting and his New Zealand counterpart Daniel Vettori both are unanimous in their opinion that this edition of the Champions Trophy is the best they have played in. They feel that tournaments involving the best teams and held over a short period of time are just right to keep fans around the world riveted to the action.

"One of the reasons that people were getting tired of it [One-day cricket] was because of the number of irrelevant games that were held... which hasn't happened here and that has made the difference," feels Vettori. "Why I consider this year's Champions Trophy as the best is because every game mattered to everyone and that is an important factor."

Ponting even went on to say that this has been the most enjoyable tournament he has ever played in. "This has certainly been the best and most enjoyable Champions Trophy that I've played in. To have the best eight teams, over a shorter period of time...people in this country and all over the world have enjoyed the one-day cricket played over the last couple of weeks, he said, adding that despite the fact that they had to rush in, it was still an excellent tournament.

Some former cricketers had hit out at the Champions Trophy stating that it was a waste of time.

"These events are about showcasing the game, and I think the International Cricket Council and the players have done a terrific job of making this tournament a spectacle for the 50-over game," Ponting said.

"The key issues with the 50-over game comes down to the way teams want to play it. The middle overs have been what the administrators have been worried about. Bringing Powerplays into the game has added a different dimension to it. If you want to play the game as best you can, as a batting side, you have to maximise those middle overs."