Athletics head coach Eric Hollingsworth has suggested that Australia are underdogs to claim the most track and field medals at the Commonwealth Games.

Kenya came out on top four years ago in Delhi, and Hollingsworth believes that Australia once again face a battle to achieve success ahead of the likes of Canada and England.

"Traditionally we have been very good at coming number one in the Commonwealth but I think the other nations have closed the gap, as Kenya showed in the last Games," the Australian coach told reporters.

"I think Canada is back on the radar again and England with a home championships will obviously be the favourites from my point of view, but we revel in that underdog situation and we will make our biggest effort to maintain our number one status."

Australia have finished in the top two on the athletics medals table in the previous five Commonwealth Games.