FIA will test a Mercedes proposal to "reduce the dangers of open cockpit racing." While the idea of completely closed cockpits "has been ruled out because of fears drivers would get trapped, the German car giant have developed a ‘halo’ ring that runs around the drivers head preventing large objects hitting the helmet." It would also have a "central supporting stanchion right in front of the drivers’ head but is so close it reportedly does not affect sight lines" (London DAILY MIRROR, 8/31). ... Former Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting argued that, contrary to more than a century of tradition, "there should no longer be a coin toss at the start of a Test match."
Rather, the captain of the visiting team "should simply be given the option of batting or bowling first."
It is a "radical idea and one that is open to ridicule," but the idea "is not without prominent backers" (FOX SPORTS, 8/31). ... Board of Control for Cricket in India President Jagmohan Dalmiya said that "the board will approach the Supreme Court to seek its opinions on whether N. Srinivasan can attend its meetings." On Friday, the BCCI working committee meeting "was adjourned sine die over the dispute relating to Srinivasan attending its deliberations." Asked when the body would move the apex court on the issue, Dalmiya said, "Yes, in the next two-three days" (IANS, 8/31). ... Bulgarian weightlifters "banned over doping violations will not compete at the world championships after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld the punishments imposed by the sport's international governing body (IWF)." The Bulgarian federation, which appealed against the 11 bans "hoping that the weightlifters would be allowed to compete at the worlds in the United States in November," said, "CAS confirmed the IWF decision" (REUTERS, 8/31).
