Simon Crase | 22nd July 2011| The Observer |Gladstone

JESS Bibby is going from being the jewel in the Port City Power crown to one in a string of Opals.

The Port City Power captain-coach has got the call-up to wear green and gold as the Opals take on the might of China in a three-match series starting Sunday.

Injuries to several players, including the Power's Nat Hurst, has opened a position for Bibby, who will miss the Power's next two games, against Rockhampton and Northside.

“I'm surprised to get a call-up. They need perimeter shooting in the off guard spot and I'm very happy (to be playing),” she said.

“Any time you get a chance to put on the green and gold, that's pretty special and an honour.”

Bibby is having a cracking year with the Power, averaging 34.9 points, streets ahead of the next-best, and with Hurst missing for a chunk of the season has had to carry point guard duties in her absence.

Bibby, a Canberra Capitals stalwart, made the Opals squad when she was 17, but injury prevented her from getting to represent her country again until many years later.

“Unfortunately, I hurt my back early in my career and was in and out of the squad. I wasn't able to play my first game until I was 29,” Bibby said.

She won't have much adjusting to do from her normal game and is very pleased to have Opals coach Carrie Graf at the helm.

“I've played with Graffie the past six years,” Bibby said.

As for the Opals' opponents, Bibby expects a tough tussle against one of the best teams in women's basketball.

“They're a top-five side in the world. We played them a couple of years ago here and beat them, so hopefully we can do the same,” she said.

Three-game series

Jayco Opals v China

Logan, July 25

Townsville, July 27

Cairns, July 30