They will face the Auckland Hearts without opening pair Suzie Bates and Bella James.
James had been ruled out with a quadricep strain. It is a double blow for the 26-year-old right-hander, as she will also miss the White Ferns’ ODI series against Sri Lanka.
Bates fractured a bone on her little finger while playing for the Sparks several weeks ago and has also been ruled out for the final.
However, she is expected to feature for the White Ferns.
That is good news for the country, but disappointing news for the province.
She is a player of rare generational talent who has carried the Sparks for more than a decade.
The Sparks have tended to crumble in her absence in the past.
But over the past two or three seasons, they have become more accustomed to playing without their star and have developed more depth, stand-in coach Shawn Hicks said.
"In the past, when Suzie was out, it was almost as if there was a panic in the group, whereas now you don’t even feel that," he said.
"Obviously, she is a good player and we want her there.
"But if she is not playing, the girls still back themselves to get the job done."
Hicks was disappointed for James, who is another key cog in the lineup.
Missing both openers was a big blow. But the captain Felicity Robertson has scored 190 runs in three innings at the top since filling in for Bates.
And Saffron Wilson will come into the side for James. She has a list-A century to her name.
All-rounder PJ Watkins has embraced her opportunities and looks like an exciting prospect.
She nabbed three wickets for four runs in her last outing and chipped in with a valuable 19 runs.
It is not all bad news on the injury front either.
Strike bowler Emma Black returns to the lineup.
She took a blow to the face during a net session but has been cleared to play in the final.
And promising all-rounder Anna Browning has recovered from concussion symptoms and will also take her spot in the side.
The Sparks are the defending champions, and they have been in hot form during the campaign.
They won nine of their 10 round-robin games.
The only loss was against Auckland and that was when they were a batter down following the injury to Bates.
They have earned the favourites tag.
Auckland, though, have a long list of potential match-winners.
White Fern Maddy Green shapes as the biggest threat.
The 32-year-old right-hander is the leading scorer in the competition.
She has blazed 572 runs at an average of 63.56.
Opener Saachi Shahri has had a fine campaign as well.
The Indian-born 27-year-old has notched four half-centuries in eight games.
Illing (19 wickets at an average of 21.11) has been a standout with the ball, and Amie Hucker has nabbed 15 wickets and is a threat as well.
The Sparks have plenty of match-winning ability too.
White Ferns spinner Eden Carson (20 wickets at 15.85) is the leading wicket-taker in the competition.
Hayley Jensen (15 at 13.40) and Black (eight at 32) bowled a high percentage of dots balls which builds enormous pressure.
Robertson (345 at 43.13) and Polly Inglis (254 at 36.29) have made very solid contributions with the bat.
Hallyburton Johnstone Shield final
University Oval, 10.30am
Otago: Felicity Robertson, Saffron Wilson, Caitlin Blakely, Polly Inglis, PJ Watkins, Olivia Gain, Anna Browning, Hayley Jensen, Eden Carson, Emma Black, Molly Loe, Chloe Deerness.
Auckland: Saachi Shahri, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Lauren Down, Brooke Haliday, Cate Pedersen, Josie Penfold, Amie Hucker, Anika Todd, Fran Jonas, Bree Illing, Bella Armstrong, Prue Catton.
