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Still a “competitive beast”, Steve Smith’s captaincy is far more relaxed these days, according to long-time Australia teammate Mitchell Starc. Smith will lead Australia for the third time this year when the Ashes gets under way in Perth on Friday, due to Pat Cummins still recovering from a back injury. The 36-year-old also filled in as skipper the last time England toured Australia in 2021-22, after Cummins was forced to isolate for the Adelaide Test during the COVID-19 pandemic. It will be the seventh time Smith has captained Australia in Tests since his full-time reign came to an end because of Sandpapergate in 2018. Smith led Australia to a 2-0 series win in Sri Lanka earlier this year after Cummins missed the tour due to the birth of his second child. Having recaptured some of his batting greatness during the past 12 months, Smith’s change in demeanour hasn’t gone unnoticed. “I’m not going to pretend to know what his approach about batting is,” Starc said. “He’s a lot more relaxed as a person all round. “Even the times that he’s captained since, when he’s had to fill in for Pat, it’s a different approach.” Twelve of Smith’s 36 Test centuries have come against England, but he was below his best during the last home Ashes four years ago. Almost written off this time 12 months ago, Smith reemerged as a force when he smashed four tons in five Tests either side of the New Year.