Johannesburg, Oct. 5 : Australia skipper Ricky Ponting and his New Zealand counterpart Daniel Vettori have applauded the decision of the Champions Trophy organisers to feature just the top eight sides in the world and contain the tournament to a fortnight''s duration.

"This has certainly been the best and most enjoyable Champions Trophy I have played in, to have the best eight teams and a shorter period of time," Sky Sports quoted Ponting, who has taken part in all five previous Champions Trophy titles, as saying.

Vettori supported Ponting''s view and said this format had addressed the key issue that had created disinterest in one-day internationals.

"I''ve said the whole way along every game''s mattered and that''s the most important thing. The reason people are probably getting tired of one-day cricket is because there''s a lot of irrelevant games and that hasn''t happened in this tournament at all," Vettori said.

Having two groups of four teams meant the last side to reach the semi-finals - Australia - was not known until the penultimate pool match.

Variable wickets at both the Wanderers and Centurion''s SuperSport Park also made for an even contest between bat and ball. (ANI)