Replacing Pope with Bethell is the latest stage of long-running speculation around England’s number-three position.
Pope’s highest score in six innings on this Ashes tour is 46, extending his run of eight Tests against Australia without a half-century.
In the 27-year-old’s past seven Tests since making a century against India at Headingley in July, he averages 24.38.
Overall, he averages 34.55 in 64 Tests. This is the first time he has been left out of a Test since the 2022 tour of West Indies.
The Surrey man has been under pressure since Bethell made his Test debut in New Zealand at the end of last year, when the left-hander made three half-centuries in as many matches.
However, Bethell has endured a stop-start year since that breakthrough tour of New Zealand.
He has played only three first-class matches in the past year, one of which was the fifth Test against India at The Oval, when he made scores of six and five.
The 22-year-old did make 71 for England Lions against Australia A in Brisbane earlier this month.
Speculation that Bethell may come in for the start of the Ashes series grew when Pope was replaced as vice-captain by Harry Brook when the England squad was announced in September.
Instead, Pope has become the first selection victim of the failed bid to regain the urn.
“He’s not going to be the only one who’s disappointed in the dressing room with how things have gone,” said Stokes. “Being 3-0 down, it’s a tough place to be on a trip like this.
“There’s going to be a lot of disappointment within the dressing room from everyone who’s in there.”