Turnball was a right-handed batsman who bowled right-arm roundarm slow.
Turnbull made two first-class appearances for Sussex against Lancashire at Old Trafford in 1877, and Kent at the Old County Ground, Town Malling.
[1] In his first match, Lancashire won the toss and elected to bat, making 345 all out, during which Turnbull bowled nine wicketless overs, conceding 31 runs.
[2] In his second match, Sussex won the toss and elected to bat, making 146 all out, with Turnbull scoring 2 runs before he was dismissed by Dick Penn.
Kent responded in their first-innings by making 209 all out, with Turnbull bowling 12.3 overs for 23 runs and taking the wickets of George Hearne and James Bray.