Even without injured Australian captain Michael Clarke, 12 internationals will grace Manuka Oval for the historic decider between NSW and Western Australia starting Friday.

The final will be held in Canberra for the first time in the competition's rich 121-year existence, and both states are out to break lengthy droughts.

NSW is chasing its first title since 2007-08 while WA hasn't been in a final since it went back-to-back in 1997-98 and 1998-99.

Henriques made his first-class debut with the Blues in 2006 and has been on the fringe of the national team for the past few years, playing three Tests, five ODIs and four T20 internationals.

"This is possibly the most important game I've played in my career,'' Henriques said.

"I've obviously played three Test matches for Australia in India, which we lost.

"It was a great experience, but here we have a chance to make history in Australia for NSW and take away the Shield."

Henriques hasn't played a first-class game since ''November or December'', but spent six weeks training in the nets with the Test squad in South Africa.

His return will strengthen batting for the Blues, who need only a draw to secure the trophy.

The Blues go in as slight favourites given the past eight teams to host the decider have claimed the shield.

In a sign of their immense depth, they can still call on seven players who have represented Australia – Test stars Steve Smith and Nathan Lyon, Steve O'Keefe, Henriques, Josh Hazlewood, Nic Maddinson and Trent Copeland – despite being without Clarke and in-form paceman Doug Bollinger, who has been called up to the T20 World Cup.

Copeland is expected to be jostling with Sean Abbott for the final spot in the side.

WA will be bolstered by all-rounder Mitch Marsh, although he will play as a specialist batsman because of a side strain.

Marsh is one of five internationals in the Warriors' line-up alongside older brother Shaun, veteran duo Marcus North and Adam Voges and left-arm spinner Ashton Agar.

Henriques is an experienced head in the Blues side despite being only 27.

He could train only in school holidays when he was first called into the state squad and had to take a taxi to practice.

Henriques has missed one Shield final because of injury and another when he was 12th man.

''I've played a lot more games for NSW than Australia and I still feel like this is my home,'' Henriques said.

"When I get picked for Australia it's an opportunity to try and cement a spot in that team rather than being a part of that team at this stage.

"This will be a very special moment.''

WA coach Justin Langer, a veteran of 105 Tests, said winning the Sheffield Shield would cap off a great season after the Perth Scorchers won the Big Bash League.

"There's been so many great encounters and so many great heroes made in Shield finals, that's why it's such an important game for our guys,'' Langer said.

"We won the BBL, but that's a six-week patch, whereas with the Shield, the players get flogged all pre-season; we have team meetings and we have reviews to try and win it.

"This is a reward for a long period of time.''