ALEX Lees dedicated his county cap to his late father Simon after describing the presentation as his proudest ever moment.

The Yorkshire opener received a warm hand from his team-mates and a 3,000-strong Headingley crowd before hitting a polished 83 off 120 balls during the opening day against Somerset.

Lees, 21, has enjoyed an excellent summer in all forms of cricket and he passed 50 for the seventh time in the LV= County Championship, including two centuries.

The left-hander could not prevent Somerset from restricting the new champions to 241-9 from 78.2 overs during a day affected by bad light.

But they are not too far away from a competitive total should conditions continue to be helpful for the bowlers.

Jack Leaning also added an unbeaten 50 off 115 balls after stand-in captain Joe Root, who made 35, had won the toss and he will hope to get his side above 250 alongside last man Jack Brooks (16no).

Yorkshire skipper Andrew Gale addressed a healthy portion of the club's members in a Q & A session at lunchtime, when he spoke about how Lees had been tearful in the dressing room after the presentation.

He did not, however, speak about the current controversy which surrounds him, although it is understood a meeting took place between officials from Yorkshire and the ECB.

A date for Gale's disciplinary hearing is expected to be confirmed later this week.

Lees, who was one of five wickets to fall in the afternoon as Yorkshire slipped from 132-3 to 206-8, said: "I think it's fair to say that it's my proudest moment thus far in my life.

"I lost my dad Simon in 2011, so that was a tribute to him. He brought me up and spent countless hours in the garden with me.

"Unfortunately he never really saw me as a professional, so to come through and be capped really touched me. It was quite an overwhelming feeling.

"Some people have different drivers and for me I just want to do the right thing and make him proud by keep performing."