Barry Richards believes the absence of Australia wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist could prove a major blow to the world champions' chances of winning the Dutch triangular event.
Fearsome one-day opening batsman Gilchrist is missing the tournament, which also features India and Pakistan, to stay at home for the impending birth of his second child although he hopes to rejoin the squad for next month's ICC Champions Trophy tournament in England.
"I think it's a bit of a lottery. Australia without Gilchrist, I think that will make quite a bit of difference to them in terms of aggressive batting at the top of the order," Richards told AFP here on Saturday.
"Who are they going to replace him with alongside Matthew Hayden at the top?," added the South Africa great, who is working as a television commentator at the tournament.
But, speaking before Pakistan's 66-run opening match win against India in front of a 10,000 sell-out crowd and ahead of Australia's tournament bow against India here Monday, Richards said: "I wouldn't say Australia were out-and-out favourites. Most times you would but this is not so clear.