Former Ashes winner Terry Alderman says Australia's key all-rounder Andrew Symonds may never return to 100% fitness after injuring his right bicep.
Symonds is likely to miss the Aussies' group games at the World Cup following an injury sustained while batting against England on 2 February.
Alderman told BBC Sport: "My worry with Symonds is not just for this tournament but also the rest of his career.
"It's a major surgery that he's had and a major injury that he suffered."
Australia already know they will be without pace spearhead Brett Lee for the tournament and Matthew Hayden is recovering from a broken toe.
Alderman, who enjoyed success in the Ashes series of 1981 and 1989, said he was worried that the repair made to Symonds' ruptured tendons could affect him long-term as a fielder.
He said: "We know what happened to [former Aussie paceman] Jeff Thomson all those years ago when he collided with Allan Turner. He was never the same bowler.
"I'd be watching out for Sri Lanka, while Pakistan on their day can beat anyone"
"And I've got a feeling the injury might take the edge off Andrew Symonds' fielding."
Symonds recently told team-mates he was "feeling great" but team management are urging cautious over his return date. He is unlikely to be used until the Super Eights phase of the World Cup.
His value to Australia's cause is such that his injury triggered a run of six defeats in seven one-day internationals.
Alderman said it was too early to write off Australia's World Cup defence, but noted there were a number of other nations to fear.
He said: "I'd be watching out for Sri Lanka, while Pakistan on their day can beat anyone.
"New Zealand have shown what they can do [by beating Australia 3-0], West Indies are on their home turf, England have just beaten Australia and South Africa are number one in the world rankings."