Steve Smith in hazmat suit after landing in UAE for IPL

The COVID-19 realities of earning his $2.4 million payday in the Indian Premier League were laid bare for Aussie star Steve Smith on arrival in the United Arab Emirates.

Steve Smith wearing a face mask during the 3rd One Day International in Manchester, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images for ECB)

The COVID-19 realities of earning his $2.4 million payday in the Indian Premier League were laid bare for Aussie star Steve Smith on arrival in the United Arab Emirates.

Smith, who missed all three of the one-day internationals against England after suffering a blow to the head, had to wear a hazmat suit after linking up with his Rajasthan Royals.

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Steve Smith wears a mask while in the Manchester bubble. Picture: Gareth Copley/Getty

The Aussie, along with countryman Andrew Tye and English teammates Jofra Archer and Tom Curran had to don the kit to meet biosecurity and quarantine requirements.

There have been more than 80,000 cases of coronavirus in the UAE.

Smith will be monitored from afar by Cricket Australia medical staff as he continues to recover from the blow which Aussie captain Aaron Finch said left his star “groggy”.

Four new arrivals ✈️

Can you guess who's who? 🤔#Hallabol | #RoyalsFamily pic.twitter.com/cGRoT1XsiB

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) September 17, 2020

Smith passed multiple concussion tests since being hit in the Manchester nets, but CA medicos took a cautious approach and ruled him out of all three games against England,

Smith also missed part of last year’s Ashes series in England after being concussed by a bouncer from Royals teammate Archer in the second Test at Lord’s.

The 31-year-old will captain the Royals, which will be coached by Australian assistant Andrew McDonald, but he may not be available for Tuesday’s first game.

Smith was one of 13 Australian and eight English players who flew from the UK to the UAE on Thursday on a chartered flight organised for those playing in the IPL.

The T20 competition was moved to the UAE because of the serious nature of COVID-19 in India.

Originally published as Steve Smith in hazmat suit after landing in UAE for IPL