It's can be a coaches' worst nightmare to lose the teams best player or captain ahead of a crucial match.

Australia are not the only team to suffer a crucial injury leading into a high profile series.

I am in the same position as Mickey Arthur was during the 2013 summer: Millfield School's opening bowler and influential vice captain is likely to miss the remainder of the season through injury.

Now it would be fair to say that the Ashes is higher profile than the National School T20 tournament, yet for the players in the School 1st XI, it means as much to them as the Ashes do to Peter Siddle or Jimmy Anderson.

So how can Australia - and and any team for that matter - cope with loss of a leading player?

Out of chaos comes opportunity

I eavesdropped a dinner table conversation between an American Business Management Guru and his New Zealand based disciple in Auckland in 2008. The Guru listened to the challenges that were presented to him and uttered the words listed above.

The phrase was instantly noted down on my phone and I have used it countless times since, especially in injury-hit situations.

Many a glittering careers have started with the opportunity to play as a injury replacement.

Andrew Strauss is a great example when he was picked as an injury replacement for Michael Vaughan in 2004. He scored 112 and 83 on debut and became a permanent member of the squad overnight.

Positive (and realistic) language galvanises belief and builds confidence in both the incoming player and the team who may have been feeling vulnerable as a result of losing a key player.

5% performance hike

Spread the load through the team and inspire the players to perform 5% better than usual to cover any loss that results from the star player being absent.

Can your 2nd Change seamer bowl 10 instead of his usual 8 overs by practising his death options in the days leading up to the game?

If so then he can take on the role of bowling finisher when the heat is on.

Can your fielders increase their awareness and manage their concentration levels to save 10 extra runs in total, building pressure and helping bowlers to achieve a little more than usual?

Can the quiet player come to life and offer insightful analysis on an opposition player, a field position or a bowling change that results in the oppositions best batter walking back with single figure score to his name?

If everyone raises their game - little one-percenters here and there - then the negative impact of the star player absence will soon be forgotten.

Don't forget the injured player

A good way to help both the injured player and the team is to use the rehabbing player as an off-field captain.

Your best player is rarely your best player without either working incredibly hard or by working incredibly smartly. So their example will be a good one to project so that other team members can follow suit.

When chasing down totals, place the injured guy in the middle of the balcony/team area with the role of facilitating conversation around the situation or the options available for each batter.

If the guys are in the field then get him to do laps with drinks bottles to motivate the deep fielders and fast bowlers who tend to operate on the boundary edge.

Can you inspire a Strauss-like performance from your replacement player?

Can you motivate the others in the team to raise their game to a new level?

Can you utilise the experience and skill of your star player in a off-field capacity?

Well, that's what I intend to do!