Farewell to John Turnbull

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

JOHN Turnbull was a Gisborne cricketer who belonged to a select group of “country” players who represented Auckland before Northern Districts achieved first-class status.

He died in Katikati this month at the age of 82.

Gisborne-born Turnbull was a tall right-arm off-spinner who first represented Poverty Bay in the 1951-52 season.

His first-class debut in 1955-56 was sensational. Turnbull took seven wickets for 54 runs from 31 overs in the second innings of Auckland’s match against Central Districts.

In his next match, he took 5-90 against Canterbury, ending a successful first season with 21 wickets.

Northern Districts achieved first-class status the next season.

Unfortunately for Turnbull he was in the shadow of two fine spinners, both of whom represented New Zealand.

Allen Lissette and Tom Puna were first-choice selections for Northern Districts.

Turnbull played just two games for Northern Districts, in 1959-60.

In the 1958-59 season, Turnbull scored 72 and 48 (run out) in Poverty Bay’s unsuccessful Hawke Cup challenge against Nelson.

Turnbull moved to Auckland and appeared in one further match for the Auckland team, in 1962-63, against Northern Districts.

He batted at No.7, but made a duck in his only innings and bowled just one over.

He returned to Gisborne and played for Poverty Bay as a top-order batsman in the 1965-66 season.